Chrysler To Add 3rd Shift, New Jobs At Detroit Plant
DETROIT (WWJ) - Chrysler Group has announced that it's strengthening its ties with the City of Detroit by adding a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.
"Our future, like the history of our brands, is interwoven with the City of Detroit," said Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne in a statement. "Detroit long has been home to renowned innovators and craftsmen."
"We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history," Marchionne said.
Marchionne said Chrysler will be expanding the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup to include a diesel version. Chrysler also it plans to add 150 jobs by reopening its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant for production of the SRT Viper.
WWJ Auto Analyst John McElroy said this story is one we can expect to hear again and again.
"I think that we're going to see this story repeated throuhout the industry, especially with the Big Three," said McElroy. "They're going to have to hire more people back to build the vehicles because the demand is there to buy them."
McElroy said this, coupled with the great sales for the industry in 2011, is making for a very exciting run up to the opening of the North American International Auto Show.
"I've been talking to people coming in from around the world, especially from the west coast, who are just hoping to have a great time in Detroit ... and I haven't heard people talk like that in years," he said.
Auto ShowPress Preview days open next Monday. The show will be open to the public Jan 14-22.
