Parts Shortage Shuts Chrysler Minivan Plant

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

A parts shortage has resulted in a shutdown at Chrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant, home of the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

The Windsor Star reports that that Wednesday’s shifts have been cancelled, and Thursday production will go ahead on a shift-by-shift basis. 2011 saw multiple parts related shutdowns at Windsor.

Windsor produces about 1,400 minivans per day, and the plant is said to be running at full capacity. The Chrysler vans dominate the segment and are one Chrysler’s best performing vehicles outside of the Ram and Jeep brands. The addition of an “American Value Package” at $21,195 (similar to the sub-$20k Canada Value Package) should only help matters, even if it’s a loss leader.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Conslaw Conslaw on Feb 20, 2013

    I just remember GM going on how the "high feature" engines were too expensive for their lower line cars. Ditto the 6-speed transmission. The Chrysler vans have both of these features at $21k.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Feb 20, 2013

    Nothing quite says "I'm kinda poor" like a base model, flat white, hubcapped, non-tinted Grand Caravan.

    • See 3 previous
    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Feb 21, 2013

      @krhodes1 Bingo bango! Now you have a better car.

  • SpacemanSpiff SpacemanSpiff on Feb 20, 2013

    So Jack's article ealier this week created a run on Chrysler/Dodge minivans?

    • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Feb 20, 2013

      His praises have definitely sold a few according to some of the B&B.

  • 84Cressida 84Cressida on Feb 21, 2013

    Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis are sad about this news. As someone who works at one of these companies, I couldn't be happier. Death to these Pieces of crap.

    • See 2 previous
    • Corntrollio Corntrollio on Feb 21, 2013

      @infinitime All I know is that there have been a few times where some idiot at the rental counter has try to stick me with one of these things solely because they were too lazy to get the actual car I wanted (non-airport counter, but it was literally a mile from the airport where I know damn well that they had several).

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