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DaimlerChrysler will spend $1 billion on
its Mexican manufacturing and supplier operations to modernize
and re-tool the facilities and to create new industrial parks
for suppliers. The investment, the bulk of which will take place
in 2006, includes upgrades to the Toluca Assembly Plant, the
creation of two supplier parks, and additional operational
improvements.
The investment will provide the Toluca
facility with the flexibility to manufacture derivative models
on one assembly line.
“The decision to invest in Mexico would not
have been possible without the support of the union and the
Mexican government’s commitment to the automotive sector,” said
Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour. “Our
Mexican manufacturing operations have earned this investment by
embracing flexible work force processes.”
Mexico President Vicente Fox and Ridenour
made the announcement along with plant employees; Mexico
Governor Enrique Peña Nieto; DaimlerChrysler Mexico President
and Managing Director Joe ChamaSrour; DaimlerChrysler Mexico
Vice President of Manufacturing Roberto Gutiérrez; and
DaimlerChrysler de México General Union Leader Hugo Díaz
Covarrubias.
The improvements at the Toluca Assembly
Plant will include an all-new body shop with state-of-the-art
manufacturing capabilities. New robotics will have the
capability to make necessary tool changes automatically within
cycle time, thus amplifying the plant’s flexibility.
The Toluca Assembly Plant will have the
capability to vary its product mix to better respond to customer
demand.
The newly built and jointly funded supplier
parks will enhance plant operations and focus on increasing
modular assembly systems. The supplier parks will provide head
liners, cockpits, front-end modules and front and rear
suspensions. The location of the supplier parks, near the Toluca
facility, will provide just-in-time production for the plant.
The ceremony also marked the roll-off of the 1 millionth
Chrysler PT Cruiser which is built at the Toluca Assembly Plant.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser launched in March 2000 and is available
globally in sedan and convertible models.
Toluca builds...
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