Chrysler considering four-day work week at Toledo Jeep plant
Jeep sales are down. They're way down, in fact, posting a 44-percent drop in their daily sales rate last month. Though the larger 'utes are really dragging down sales, even the once-untouchable Wranger has been feeling the sting of escalating fuel prices, as its blocky shape and 3.8-liter V6 engine conspire to deliver awful fuel mileage. Also selling rather slowly are the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro, which are assembled at the same plant in Northwest-Ohio. In an effort to save costs, Chrysler officials are considering reducing the work-week at the Toledo plant from the normal five days down to four and allowing its workers to stay on for ten-hour shifts. While that total still equals the forty-hours from a five-day, eight-hour per day work-week, Chrysler believes it can save on energy and fuel costs by shuttering the plant for an extra day.
[Source: 13abc.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pete 3:35PM (8/07/2008)
I used to create Jeep advertising and that is the WORST series of Jeep print ads ever...
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Pacman 3:36PM (8/07/2008)
If Jeep could find a way to get a Wrangler Unlimited to 20/25 mpg I would buy one. Probably not physically possible but that is what it would take for me to pull the trigger.
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wagonphile 3:53PM (8/07/2008)
It's easily possible. The Wrangler only needs torque to do what it does, not horsepower. And it doesn't need to be so heavy. Chrysler could easily pair a four cylinder motor with the right transmission (needs a good low end and high OD) and get the best of both worlds.
jte 4:05PM (8/07/2008)
Jeep needs to bring back the 4 cylinder Wrangler.
elprogramer 3:47PM (8/07/2008)
That's not all that uncommon. Flint Assembly used to (still does?) run the same arrangement. Though, they would use it to run two shifts every day (three, one alternated) and keep production up.
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Vaman 4:10PM (8/07/2008)
I have a 08 Wrangler Unlimited that exceeds my expectations. It is my daily driver and averages 14-16 mpg during the week around town. Since I live so close to work I only burn about a quarter tank of gas each week.
Out on the highway/interstate it beats the EPA sticker. I always average above 20...most of the time 22-24 mpg, depending on speed and wind conditions.
It is off the chart as far as smg (smiles per gallon). It is the only vehicle I've ever had that I can take the top and doors off and hit the beach or the trails. Can't beat that.
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Philgag 4:04PM (8/07/2008)
The fact that the wrangler is not available with a frugal, modern 4 cyl engine is beyond me. Lower price and lower fuel consuption FTW...how many people only buy this as a cool looking convertible?
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TheRedMonkey 4:10PM (8/07/2008)
What the hell is a Wranger?
...even the once-untouchable Wranger ...
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Yipcanjo 4:33PM (8/07/2008)
Evidently it's a "person with red hair, pasty skin and freckles".
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wranger
Pacman 4:41PM (8/07/2008)
so it is the same thing as a "Ginger"?
MD Drew 4:11PM (8/07/2008)
Great idea!
And might I recommend they dedicate every Monday as "Build a Friggin' Diesel Wrangler" Day!
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66coronet 5:06PM (8/07/2008)
http://www.mpgomatic.com/2008/03/15/35-mpg-why-wait-until-2020/
VM2.8Lcrd wrangler gets approx US 18 city, 28 highway, 23 combined.
http://www.jeep.co.uk/wrangler/specs.html
The Wrangler sport VM 2.8L crd 174 hp 302 lb-ft / 410Nm 2000-2600 manual trans
UK MPG (L/100) = city 22.2 (12.7), combined 28.5 (9.9), highway 34 (8.3)
Wrangler crd 4dr automatic, same combined, city 22.4 (12.6), highway 33.6 (8.4)
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AngeloD 4:37PM (8/07/2008)
Chrysler should sell the diesel Jeep models here in the US that they build in Toledo for export only.
Sadly, the execs at Chrysler seem to cling to the idea that if it isn't 50 State compliant then there's no market for a diesel Jeep. They are losing a lot of sales based on that false idea.
I'd be at a Jeep dealer tomorrow if they were selling diesel Wranglers.
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snakesausage 4:45PM (8/07/2008)
+1
Frank Rizzo 5:20PM (8/07/2008)
Ditto!
It's so freaking insane they don't offer one. If I recall, the Liberty had no problem selling the short run of CRD's that were made for it.
The crazy part is they are ALREADY making them for export. It's not like they would need to redesign a plant to produce them....
Toledo Guy 5:43PM (8/07/2008)
As much as I'd like to be able to buy a diesel Wrangler, I know that if Jeep released it here, it wouldn't make financial sense to purchase. The CRD GC has a $3000 price jump over the V6. So between the additional cost of the engine and additional cost of fuel, the odds of ever breaking even on the investment is next to impossible. Living here in Toledo, we'd love to replace our Commander with a Wrangler Unlimited when the lease comes due this November. But the gas mileage on the WU is too poor, only slightly better than the Commander w/ the 4.7V8. We get 14 city/17 highway now. And besides, we can't get another lease! We do get a discount thru her uncle (Chrysler retiree), but Chrysler really doesn't have anything that interests us this time around.
Brent 6:46PM (8/07/2008)
Toledo Guy,
You can't compare the diesel to the V6. Those needing the diesel torque would be looking into hemi's or the 4.7, not the V6.
jason 5:48PM (8/07/2008)
Look for more fuel efficient engines in 2010
4.0v6
2.8 Diesel (Maybe)
Possible preproduction at EJS 2009
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Brent 6:47PM (8/07/2008)
Yeah, the Phoenix engine should go into the wrangler nicely.
gsolman6 6:25PM (8/07/2008)
This is also no doubt to help their employees deal with their increased fuel costs too which adds a bit of irony. That is a company that obviously wants its employees to buy the products they make are being adversely affected by high gas because they drive such inefficient vehicles like the Wrangler. It's kinda like heading a drug-dealing gang where half your employees (distributors) are zonked out on the narcotics they are supposed to be selling.
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