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Production Begins on the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab |
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Written by DaimlerChrysler
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Thursday, 11 August 2005 |
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Page 2 of 2 During the assembly plant's changeover, approximately 200 new, high-tech robots were installed in the body shop which added efficiencies and new methods of error-proofing. The new body shop has the capability to assemble multiple vehicles with the same equipment in a continuous flow on a single assembly line. Modifications were also made to the equipment and processes in the paint shop and final assembly. While at the plant, LaSorda announced that the Company has already built one million HEMI® engines at the adjacent Saltillo Engine Plant. The 5.7-liter HEMI engine is offered in multiple Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles and is one of two power plants offered as standard equipment in the new Dodge Ram Mega Cab. The strong partnership that the Company has with labor and the government cleared the way for the new product and the related investment in the plant. "DaimlerChrysler de Mexico is committed to meeting competitive challenges from across the globe," said Joseph Chamasrour, President and Managing Director – DaimlerChrysler de Mexico. "We are working together with the Union and the government in very progressive ways in order to stay ahead of the competition." "Our plant employees played a key role in the successful launch of the Dodge Ram Mega Cab," said Roberto Gutierrez, Vice President – Manufacturing, DaimlerChrysler de Mexico. "A flexible workforce working in teams is an important element of Chrysler Group's Smart Manufacturing strategy." Extensive training enables the workforce to remain one of the best-trained in the Chrysler Group system. The plant has completed 75,000 hours of training in the last two years. The production kick-off was celebrated today in Saltillo with plant employees, LaSorda, Chamasrour, and Gutierrez, as well as Plant Manager Santiago Pages, and Hugo Diaz Covarrubias, General Secretary of the DaimlerChrysler Mexico Worker's Union. Mexico's Secretary of the Economy, Lic. Fernando Canales and Governor of Coahuila, Lic. Enrique Martinez were also in attendance. The Saltillo Assembly Plant has 2,100 employees and is one of five DaimlerChrysler production facilities in Mexico. The facility was completed and production began in 1995. Production began at the Saltillo Engine Plant in 1985 and it has 1,100 employees. Other manufacturing operations include the Saltillo Stamping Plant; Toluca Assembly Plant; and Toluca Stamping Plant. With headquarters in Mexico City, DaimlerChrysler de Mexico employs more than 7,000 people and is the second largest private exporter in the country.
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