On the eve of its expected announcement of at least two plant closures and the axing of 10,000 jobs, DaimlerChrysler lat night said the new 2008 Dodge Challenger would be built at its Brampton Assembly Plant near Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario.
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“It’s good news that the Dodge Challenger will be added to the Canadian production line-up,” said Reid Bigland, president and CEO – DaimlerChrysler Canada. “Quickly bringing desirable new products… to market is critical to keeping our plants humming and our dealerships busy.”
Brampton also builds the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger and Magnum and works on three shifts. Challenger output will begin next year and preparations to ready the plant are already under way.
Chrysler said the decision to build the new car in Ontario was partially the result of the provincial government’s strong support for the Brampton plant through its contribution to the third shift training programme, which was essential to the successful launch of the other models already made there.
“Brampton is our first plant to demonstrate the ability to build four models on one line,” said Frank Ewasyshyn, executive vice president – manufacturing, Chrysler Group.
“As we continue to expand our new model line-up and further implement our flexible manufacturing strategy, other facilities will also have this capability.”
Chrysler first showed the Challenger as a concept at the Detroit motor show in 2006 and announced last summer it would be built in 2008.
The production version will be a two-door, Hemi V8- powered, rear-drive vehicle and the first coupe built on Chrysler’s large car platform, which it will share with the 300, Charger and Magnum.
