‘Interim’ Plastech Deal Jump-Starts Halted Chrysler Production

Chrysler LLC has reached a deal with Plastech Engineered Products Inc. that will see the bankrupt supplier resume shipments of key components through Feb. 15, the auto maker says.

Shipping was interrupted Monday after Chrysler tore up its contract with the troubled supplier and launched litigation to retrieve its tooling. The resulting stoppage immediately halted production at five Chrysler plants and threatened the auto maker’s entire North American assembly network as the dispute wore on.

An “interim production agreement,” reached this morning, will restore shipment of interior, exterior and powertrain plastic components featured in key Chrysler products. These range from its redesigned-for-’08 minivans to its high-margin Dodge Ram pickups to the all-new Dodge Journey cross/utility vehicle currently in launch mode at the auto maker’s plant in Toluca, Mexico.

In a statement, Chrysler says production at the five affected plants will “immediately resume” with the start of today’s second shift. The plants are:

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