Chrysler Group Announces Third Shift at Warren Truck Assembly Plant

Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Photo: DC

Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers announced a third shift of production at the company's Warren Truck Assembly Plant, which will lead to an additional 1,000 jobs at the facility. The plant produces the new Dodge Ram 1500 series Quad Cab models, and Dodge Dakota Regular, Club and Quad Cab pickup trucks.

The company will invest approximately $35 million for the additional production, which will increase the plant's capacity by 21 percent, or 60,000 units annually, to a total of approximately 338,000 units a year.

"The bottom line is that consumers are demanding more of our new Ram and Dakota models," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer. "We looked at a number of ways to increase production to meet that demand, and one plan made the most sense -- adding another shift of production."

The additional jobs will be good for our members and the Detroit area. This is another result of the UAW and the Chrysler Group working together to benefit the workforce, the company and the customer."

Dodge brand pickup trucks are enjoying strong sales demand. Sales of Ram truck models in September totaled 33,924 units, an increase of 82 percent, compared to September 2001. Third-quarter 2002 Ram sales were up 26 percent, compared to the same quarter last year. Ram 1500 sales for September were up 10 percent over the previous month. And recently, the Ram 1500 Quad Cab was ranked first in owner satisfaction among all four-door pickup trucks in AutoPacific Inc.'s 2002 Vehicle Satisfaction Score study.