Wrangler Demand Spurs 200 New Jobs At Toledo

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Hot sales of Jeep’s venerable Wrangler have led to Chrysler adding 200 new jobs at their Toledo, Ohio factory.

130 of the 200 workers will be assigned to relieve assembly line workers. The plant currently operates at two shifts, but cannot expand to a third shift due to capacity constraints. Nevertheless, Toledo produced over 200,000 Wranglers last year, a record for the plant. With a low base price and a true low-range transfer case, the Wrangler has a niche all to itself, and it’s unlikely that any manufacturer will challenge it with a competing vehicle any time soon. As long as that’s the case, its place in the auto market looks fairly secure.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Mar 16, 2013

    Two of the local principals drive Jeep Wranglers. Both women, both middle aged. One is on her second Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, lifted, 35in BFG All-Terrain tires. She is an outdoor enthusiast, has several dogs, and the Jeep is her only vehicle. If it wasn't for the outdoor lifestyle I would say it made no sense for her - her commute is long and the Jeep has to be noisy and suck gas hard. The other is a total poseur vehicle. Two door, hard top, snorkel, aggressive tires, no lift and driven by a woman who would consider the grassy lot at the fairgrounds off-roading. She is an Assistant Principal and her boss drives a Ford Raptor that he refuses to get dirty. Perhaps she thinks she needs to compete with that? I am happy to see Toledo doing well. The city wasn't far from where I grew up in Ohio farm country and I still mourn the demolition of the "Willys Overland" smokestacks that used to be such a great land mark.

    • Pete Zaitcev Pete Zaitcev on Mar 16, 2013

      I don't think lift is all that necessary for many missions. The basic parameters, such as clearance, arrival/departure and ramp angles, on my Rubi are where moderately lifted jeeps used to be just a few years ago. Also, my wife already has trouble getting it and out.

  • Hummer Hummer on Mar 17, 2013

    I'm happy for them the demand is up, but I'll keep my Geared hubs ;) If for some reason I want the solids, well its IH scout time

  • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Mar 17, 2013

    @Pete Zaitsev "On the other hand, .223 is banned and they keep talking abou Great Firewall of Australia (thank you, Telstra)." Please explain??? As an Australian Politician said.

  • Les Les on Mar 18, 2013

    Good to hear, we've always loved our Jeeps out here in the rural backwoods of the US. Loved 'em. We love our Wranglers, our CJ5s and CJ7s, our Scramblers, our YJs... ..our Scouts, our Samurais, our Sidekicks and Trackers, we sure do love our 'Jeeps'. ;)

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