Export minivan (BUX) production starts

The Windsor Assembly Plant has begun to make export-targeted minivans, including right-hand-drive and diesel versions, built on the same line as North American minis. The Chrysler Grand Voyager  is sold in over 80 countries, in right and left hand drive configurations, with both petrol (gasoline) and 2.8-liter common-rail diesel (CRD) engines; the diesel is around 90% [...]

Chrysler Canada sales leap up without rebates

Chrysler Canada today announced sales of 15,958 units for the month of July 2009, an increase of 73% over June 2009 but a loss of around 10% when compared with July 2008. The gain was largely due to an increase in product availability and  consumer confidence. During the same month in 2008, the company sold [...]

Ontario pushing electric cars, minivans

“Mooseater” passed along a news bulletin which announced a series of measures called “1 in 20 by 2020″ designed to result in 5% of the province’s vehicles being electric within 11 years.  Ontario is home to the Canadian headquarters of Chrysler, GM, and Ford.
Included in the plan is a mass purchase of electric vehicles for [...]

Seven Chrysler plants to start back up

Chrysler Group announced today that it will resume volume production of vehicles in seven of its North American assembly plants on the week of June 29, 2009. As part of a phased production ramp-up, the following assembly plants are scheduled to resume production at the end of the month:

Sterling Heights (Sterling Heights, MI) – Chrysler Sebring [...]

Windsor to start up; Saturn bought by Penske

Chrysler’s minivan plant, Windsor Assembly, is due to resume production before the end of the month; skilled tradespeople have been asked to show up on June 8, assuming the Indiana appeal is denied.
In other news, the legendary Roger Penske has signed a memo of understanding to buy Saturn, including its 350 dealers, in a deal [...]

Windsor, Brampton re-opening imminent

The Windsor Star reported that the minivan plant could be open within two weeks, with Brampton opening later, to refresh the stock of minivans in Canada. CAW Local 444 leader Rick Laporte said management is considering a three-shift operation due to supply constraints, which would avoid a Saturday shift premium and postpone payments to laid-off [...]