The Return of the Dodge Viper - Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC announced yesterday that it will reopen its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit for the production of the next generation SRT Viper. With the plant's reopening, nearly 150 jobs, both hourly and salaried, will return to the City of Detroit.

The Conner facility was idled when production of the Dodge Viper ended in July 2010.

"The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model," said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer - SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. "We're extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City."

Current Chrysler Group hourly employees who previously worked at Conner were first offered the opportunity to return to their home plant. The balance of the positions will be filled by hourly employees volunteering to transfer to the Conner Avenue plant.

Conner Avenue will begin building the new Viper in late 2012, but employees began reporting for training and orientation this fall.

In preparation for the reopening, the Conner facility will begin its transformation by implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM), a system that is focused on reducing waste and making continuous improvements throughout the assembly process to improve quality and productivity.

Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant, then moved to the Conner Avenue site in October 1995. All Vipers that rolled off the line were hand-built in a low-volume, modular process. Over the course of 15 years, Conner Avenue employees built about 12 vehicles a day for a total of 22,070 Vipers.

The reopening of the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant reaffirms Chrysler Group's commitment to the City of Detroit as the only auto manufacturer with two assembly plants in the city.

About the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant

The Conner Avenue Assembly Plant was built in 1966 and purchased by Chrysler in 1995. Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Prowler production began in May 1997 and ended in February 2002. Viper V-10 Engine production was transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Assembly in May 2001. In 2003, the newly engineered SRT10 Roadster hit the market and the SRT10 Coupe followed in 2005. With a production run of 28,056, Viper production ended on July 2, 2010. As a result, the facility was idled.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/13/4119827/the-snake-returns-to-chrysler.html#ixzz1gVoctCOU


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The Return of the Dodge Dart - Detroit Free Press

Dodge reached back into its history books to revive the name Dart for a compact sedan that symbolizes the future of Chrysler and Fiat.

On Tuesday, Dodge said the 2013 Dodge Dart, which will be unveiled next month at the North American International Auto Show, will not be a reinterpretation of the original Dart. Photos of the front and rear of the Dart reveal sharply angled head-lamps, as well as a grille and rear spoiler similar to the Dodge Charger.

The aerodynamic look is intended to appeal more to younger buyers than the Dodge Caliber crossover that the Dart replaces.

"From what we have seen from the teaser pictures, it looks smoking hot," said Aaron Bragman, automotive analyst for IHS Automotive.

The original Dart was sold from 1960 to 1976 with a variety of options, including the high-performance "swinger" version.

The Dart gained a reputation as a sturdy and reliable car. The 1968 version included the "slant-six," or V6 engine known for durability and endurance, according to the Chrysler-enthusiast website Allpar.com.

"The Dart is one of the more positive names in Chrysler's brand-portfolio history," Bragman said. "Also, anybody under 40 isn't going to remember Dart and that helps them because they are about to create something new."

The 2013 Dart will be Chrysler's first vehicle based on Fiat engineering, a decision meant to illustrate the technology-sharing benefits of merging the Italian and Auburn Hills automakers.

The Dart will be longer and wider than Fiat's Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Under the 2009 agreement with the U.S. Treasury, Fiat can boost its ownership stake in Chrysler by another 5% when the Dodge sedan is certified with a combined, unadjusted 40 m.p.g. rating by the Environmental Protection Agency. Fiat currently owns 53.5% of Chrysler.

Joe Veltri, Chrysler's vice president of product planning, said in June that the new Dodge would be a sporty, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient car.

The sedan will be built in Belvidere, Ill. Buyers can choose one of three four-cylinder engines: a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir engine.

Fiat's small car and engine technology helps balance Chrysler and Jeep's large car and truck-heavy lineup, and was a key reason for Fiat taking a controlling interest in Chrysler in 2009.

The Dart should make Dodge more competitive in the compact segment that includes the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.

"There has been a lot of activity in that segment and a lot of investment," Ralph Gilles, senior vice president of product design for all Chrysler brands, said in June. "We are ready for that."

- by Brent Snavely: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com

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