Chrysler Begins Ram Chassis Cab Production in Mexico

Chrysler Group begins production of the all-new ’07 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab at its Saltillo Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.

Currently, Saltillo builds the Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Dodge Ram Power Wagon and Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 models.

DC recently invested $48 million at Saltillo in preparation for Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab output. The investment was used to expand the plant by 120,000 sq.-ft. (11,148 sq.-m), allowing for the production of commercial vehicles and the introduction of new frame configurations.

The outlay follows a 2005 investment of $210 million, which was used to prep the plant for production of the ’06 Dodge Ram Mega Cab.

The addition of the 3500 to Saltillo is part of Chrysler’s Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS), which enables the auto maker to produce more than one vehicle on a production line and conduct rolling launches of new models.

“The Saltillo facility’s versatility, capability and adaptability makes it one of Chrysler Group’s most flexible plants, allowing the company to adjust production between the various models to better respond to customer needs,” says Frank Ewasyshyn, executive vice president-manufacturing.

Saltillo currently employs 2,100 workers on two shifts. It is one of five Chrysler facilities in Mexico.