Chrysler Group Asks For Hitch Production Boost Amid NHTSA Inquiry
A day after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked what was taking so long for a supplier to make enough hitches to cover 2.5 million recalled vehicles, Chrysler Group ordered its supplier to boost production.
Automotive News reports the inquiry, sent July 2, noted that it would take five years for Chrysler to repair all 2.5 million 1993 – 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002 – 2007 Libertys with trailer hitches meant to minimize the potential for fuel tank ruptures and fires in low-speed rear-end accidents. In turn, Chrysler told supplier Northern Stamping Inc. to raise its daily production rate from 2,205 to 3,511 hitches.
The affected vehicles will be able to be equipped with the hitches beginning August 1, with the last ones to receive theirs by March of 2015.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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The NHTSA sure is slow on the uptake. Didn't Chrysler/FCA drag its feet on the recalls initially? Why would the feds think they would then jump to making the hitch switch post haste, when they didn't even think it was necessary for the older JGCs in the first place?
I bet there is some retired Ford bean counter accountant/value engineer smacking themselves in head saying 'If management only the sense to offer a hitch mount on Pinto's, 64-1/2-73 Mustangs and other models with the rear fuel filler"