Autoblog

Chrysler's internal documents question Ram quality as workers protest

Zach Bowman — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Chrysler, Ram

Chrysler is reportedly having a hard time ramping up production of its 2013 Ram 1500. According to The Detroit News, only 16 of the 58 trucks built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant during the model's first hour passed final inspection. While quality eventually improved over the course of the day, just over half of the units built on Thursday were approved for shipment. Even with workers ordered to stay late to fix their mistakes, some 1,078 units remained outside the facility with defects. The problem, according to workers at the plant, is morale.

According to the report, Chrysler recently changed the shift schedule at the plant and workers are unhappy with the new situation. The new plan has workers split into three shifts, each covering four 10-hour days. With the shifts staggered, some workers now have to work nights and on Saturdays. Some employees are so upset that they've taken to protesting, though the move isn't sanctioned by the United Auto Workers.

Meanwhile, Chrysler admits there were internal issues with the launch, but that the company was able to contain them. A spokesperson has said "plant quality indicators are getting progressively better."

Chrysler's internal documents question Ram quality as workers protest originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler to accelerate production of 2013 Ram and V6 engines

Chris Tutor — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:44:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

Chrysler is adding a third shift at its Warren Truck plant to meet demand for the new 2013 Ram pickup. And with tight supplies of its Pentastar V6, the company is also boosting output at its Mack Engine plant.

The expansions will add 1,250 jobs and are part of a $238 million investment by Chrysler in the Detroit area. Warren's third shift will begin work sometime in the spring, a Chrysler rep told Automotive News. Mack's increased Pentastar production a could include both 3.6 and 3.2-liter engines.

The company says it also plans to invest $40 million in its Trenton Engine plant to allow for production of a 3.2-liter V6 as well as the Tigershark inline-four for the upcoming Jeep Liberty replacement.

Chrysler to accelerate production of 2013 Ram and V6 engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chrysler-UAW contract expected to be ratified after Warren plant approval

Zach Bowman — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, UAW/Unions

The Detroit News reports that the United Auto Workers is close to ratifying a new four-year labor contract with Chrysler. The company's Warren Truck Plant voted in favor of the new deal on Tuesday, with 70 percent of union workers there casting ballots for the measure. That vote followed the Toledo North Assembly Plant's 'yes' vote on Monday, which helped to stave off fears of a veto.

Early in the voting process, five Chrysler plants voted against the new labor contract, including locations in Michigan and Ohio, but The Detroit News reports that nine smaller UAW local chapters have since voted for the contract. With the addition of positive votes from the Warren Truck Plant and the Toledo North Assembly Plant, the deal is almost certain to pass.

Chrysler-UAW contract expected to be ratified after Warren plant approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments