Dodge Ram production idled at Mexico plant
Another victim of the downturn in sales of full-size pickup trucks was revealed today as Dodge will be closing its Saltillo plant in northern Mexico for a period of two weeks. The plant produced nearly 170,000 Ram trucks last year. Yesterday, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli indicated that Ram production would need to be adjusted to reflect weak customer demand, and this seems to be the adjustment. According to reports, the plant was idled on Monday and its two-thousand workers are set to return to work on June 23. Last month, sales of the Ram fell by an alarming twenty-five percent. We'd imagine that the last thing Chrysler wants is a large stock of unsold 2008 Ram trucks as it readies the 2009 model, which will thankfully get somewhat better fuel mileage.
Dodge is certainly not the only automaker finding it tough to move large pickups off dealer lots. Both Ford and GM have placed large incentives on their pickups and Toyota, Nissan and Honda have or will shift truck production to passenger cars at plants capable of making the switch.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
waiownsyou 6:37PM (6/11/2008)
and so it begins...
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The Luigiian 7:01PM (6/11/2008)
More like "and so it continues".
MikeW 7:09PM (6/11/2008)
Should of had a hemi, V6.
Should of had a 6 speed auto.
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waiownsyou 7:39PM (6/11/2008)
SHOULD'VE paid attention in class.
MikeW 8:03PM (6/11/2008)
No, no one wants a 300+hp V6.
The 3.7 is terrible, the 4.0 is MIA, the phoenix engines are still a long way out, the dual spark plug 4.7 is overrated.
The 545RFE is old and crappy.
Brad2CV 7:20PM (6/11/2008)
They're made in Mexico??? Didn't know that. I was aware of the PT Cruiser being built there....
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Aprime 9:05PM (6/11/2008)
Part of the production, not all of it.
Frank 8:33AM (6/12/2008)
Warren Truck Assembly, Michigan - Dodge Ram Standard Cab and Quad Cab, Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider
Saltillo Truck Assembly and Stamping Plant, Mexico - Dodge Ram Quad Cab, Regular Cab, Mega Cab, Chassis Cab (note: many of these vehicles are exported to countries other than the US, especially the South American market)
Joe 10:38AM (6/16/2008)
Does anyone know if the '08 Ram short bed made in Mexico is actually shorter than the '07? I have an exporter that needs to know.
Guenther 3:45PM (6/12/2008)
When are they retooling for the '09? Seems like that should be happening over summer shut-down here directly. Or are all half-tons built at Warren Assembly, and HD's in Mexico? I would guess the big trucks will get the model change a little later.
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