Flexible manufacturing cuts production costs by 85 percent

Robotics, lean dies and material flow improve quality, productivity and worker ergonomics

Third vehicle introduced at Belvidere Assembly Plant

Chrysler Group’s Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant launched production of the Company’s tenth all-new vehicle this year, as the first 2007 Jeep Patriot came off the assembly line today. The plant which was extensively retooled in 2005, has become a flagship for Chrysler Group's adoption of flexible manufacturing. Production of the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber began in January 2006 and was followed in May by the all-new 2007 Jeep Compass

Flexible manufacturing is allowing Chrysler Group to bring its new vehicles to market more quickly and the Belvidere Assembly Plant to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line. Additionally, flexible manufacturing has positively impacted production costs by a savings of up to 85 percent in some instances. The Chrysler Group continues to implement its flexible manufacturing processes plant-by-plant.