Three Chrysler Plants To Remain Open During Summer Vacation

By Edward Niedermeyer
April 9, 2008

Chrysler's forced summer vacation will not include all North American plants as previously reported. The Aurora Advocate reports that the Twinsburg Stamping Plant and the Windsor Assembly plant might stay open during the planned two-week idle, along with a possible third, unnamed factory. Chrysler Manager for Manufacturing Communications says the Windsor plant could continue making vans– if demand stays [?} high into the summer. "We will make adjustments to consumer demands," Ed Saenz announced. Meanwhile, some Chrysler employees have already used their paid vacation day; they'll be forced to take unpaid vacation days during the shutdown. Saenz proves that he is, at least a friend of a friend of the working classes. He reassured Chrysler employees that next year will be easier– they'll be aware of the fact that they have no choice as to when they'll take their vacation. Provided the company isn't already in C11.

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7 Comments on “ Three Chrysler Plants To Remain Open During Summer Vacation ”

menno :
April 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

Seems to me it would make more sense to build any extra minivans at St Louis, since the costs of building in the USA is now supposedly lower than building in Canada.

Maybe the Chrysler execs who make these decisions forgot to take off his shoes to count.
RayH :
April 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

I think their criteria for low demand would be boarded-up dealerships. Demand leveling off = 200 day lot time?
I finally got to drive the new Caravan last week. I actually didn’t think it was too bad driving, and outside it doesn’t look too bad right up on it. As others have said on here, the interior left much to be desired. The interior smelled, like a KIA, but it was a rental with 5k miles on it, so maybe a baby seal was clubbed to death in the back.
George Labrador :
April 9th, 2008 at 4:38 pm

You forgot the idea of manufacturing in Canada is a good idea as the quality is supposed to be better, also for Chrysler-Ceb to sell vehicles in Canada, they have to make them here from what I understand.Also the dollar is just under Parity most days.
EEGeek :
April 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm

Isn’t Windsor where they’ll build the VW rebadged van? I wonder if that plays into the decision to keep it open. Seems like that time would be right in the production window for VW’s autumn product launch.

And if my guess about VW’s success is correct, two weeks of production should last them quite a while…
bluecon :
April 9th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Latest thing I heard was Windsor is looking at a five week summer shutdown due to slow sales.

For decades the plants have shut every summer for two weeks and only maintenance and salary(like engineering) and anybody else required for changes during shutdown worked.

I have never seen Windsor stay open for shutdown.
brettc :
April 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am

hehe, the Routan makes me laugh. Anyone that decides to buy one will get the full craptastic experience. Horrible Chrysler quality, and horrible VW ~~dealership~~ stealership service. What an unfortunate combination.
prousa1 :
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 am

quality better? wrong, listen if the upper management [CANADIAN] at chrysler wants to sell that story go ahead, but sell their minivans and their once upon a time american muscle car challenger up there too. ill buy a toyota made in the usa over anything canadian!!!