Chrysler to Resume Production at Seven Plants

Chrysler said it will restart production this month at 7 of its 12 assembly plants, which were idle since the auto maker filed for bankruptcy. Production at 2 plants in MI, one in MO, one in OH, 2 in CN and one in Mexico will begin during the week of June 29, it said. The auto maker idled all its plants in its bankruptcy process, that started April 30, & since combined the majority of assets with Fiat. The shutdown, along with cutting 789 dealers, helped Chrysler lower its inventory of new cars & pickups. But, Chrysler said the two-week summer shutdown will remain in effect, & all plants will once again idle in the weeks of July 13 & 20. Plants that will resume production include MI's Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, home to the Sebring & Dodge Avenger; the Warren Truck Assembly, which produces the Dodge Ram & Dodge Dakota pickups & also is in MI; the St. Louis North Assembly Plant, where the Dodge Ram is built; & Ohio's Toledo Supplier Park, home to the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Plants resuming production outside the U.S. include Brampton, Ontario, producer of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger & Challenger; Windsor, Ontario, Assembly Plant, home to Chrysler Town & Country & Dodge Grand Caravan; & Toluca, Mexico, Assembly Plant, builder of Dodge Journey & PT Cruiser. Chrysler resumed production at its Detroit Conner Avenue Assembly plant. The plant, which produces the Dodge Viper, was the first factory the auto maker restarted. As part of its reorg, Chrysler still plans to shrink its assembly-plant count to 8. The Conner Avenue, Sterling Heights; St. Louis North & St. Louis South factories will be closed within the next two years.