2005 Dodge Magnum
Magnum interior
2005 Chrysler 300C
300C interior
Brampton, ON - Chrysler Group is investing C$1.4 billion in Canada for the Chrysler 300 Series and Dodge Magnum, the family of all-new, rear-wheel drive sedans that are scheduled to begin production at its Brampton Ontario assembly plant in early 2004.
Chrysler Group released photos today of the cars which will be formally introduced at the Detroit auto show in January.
Initially, Chrysler Group had planned to sell the Dodge Magnum just to fleet customers in Canada, however reaction from its Canadian dealers was so strong and so positive that the company decided that it will be offered to the general public as well.
The 2005 Dodge Magnum is based on a rear-wheel drive car platform, code named LX, and will include a version with all-wheel drive. An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that helps maintain intended directional control of the vehicle will be included. A choice of engines will include the HEMI V8 with 340 horsepower.
The Dodge Magnum will be built along with the all-new Chrysler 300 Series at DaimlerChrysler Canada's Brampton Assembly Plant, northwest of Toronto. Previously, employees at Brampton built the Chrysler 300M, Concorde and Intrepid sedans. The last of these 2004 models are currently being sold.
To begin building the new cars, approximately 80 percent of the Brampton facility has been overhauled, utilizing a crew of approximately 3,000 contractors. Frank Ewasyshyn, Senior Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing Engineering for Chrysler Group said, "We viewed this project as a complete makeover, building a new plant environment within existing walls, rather than a facelift or typical model changeover."
Brampton's physical transformation took approximately six weeks to complete. During that period, construction crews expanded the trim, chassis and final assembly area (TCF) by approximately twenty-five thousand square feet. They also reconfigured over 17 miles of conveyor lines, including the installation of an underground line in the TCF area, and practically rebuilt the entire body shop.
Ninety percent of the plant's tooling and equipment changes occurred in the body shop, which utilizes approximately 300,000 square feet of the plant's total footprint.
Once the tooling was changed, the plant focused on testing and verifying quality levels. The company has also been building pilot vehicles this fall for process verification, as well as to facilitate hands-on training.
"As Brampton Assembly Plant begins a new chapter in its production life, it takes on flexible characteristics generally seen in newer automotive operations," said Ewasyshyn. "The flexibility of the revamped plant will offer the capability to build and pilot multiple products simultaneously and, down the road, it will be able to introduce additional vehicles through rolling launches, minimizing production losses and reducing downtime."
Source : http://www.canadiandriver.com
