moparman
01-15-2003, 08:10 PM
Here the latest news from Wards Auto Journal:
"A precarious ladder involves the next-generation large-car family which makes the leap to rear-wheel drive. Four all-new models, with a fifth in the wings, are planned for the LX large car platform to be assembled at the Bramalea assembly plant in Brampton, Ont., Canada, Ward's has learned.
The plant will go down Sept. 26, 2003, for eight weeks of retooling, followed by nine weeks of ramp-up to Job One, slated for Jan. 19, 2004, sources say. The new vehicles will be designated as '04-1/2 models.
The auto maker will continue to build '04 models of the current LH FWD fullsize sedan platform that includes the Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler 300M, Concorde and the Concorde Limited (which replaced the LHS in the lineup beginning in model year '02).
Ward's is told the new LX rear-drive family will be comprised of the LX (replacing Intrepid); the LXi (replacing Concorde) and the 300N (replacing the 300M). A newcomer is a sport wagon with Dodge styling and SUV attributes.
And, when capital becomes available, plans to produce the Dodge Charger are expected to be dusted off. Sources say the initial plan contained funding to expand the Bramalea plant's footprint, making room for a second platform that was to include the Chrysler 300 Hemi C and the Dodge Charger, concepts shown at the Detroit auto show in 2000 and 1999, respectively.
The Hemi C is a 4-passenger RWD convertible powered by a Hemi V-8 engine. The Charger is a 4-door V-8, RWD sedan with coupe styling. While the concept had a supercharged, compressed natural gas 4.7L V-8, the production model was slated to receive a Hemi engine as well.
When Chrysler plummeted down the financial chute a few years ago, the convertible was dropped from the lineup. But Ward's is told the Charger is still on the books for when the money is available.
The underpinnings will be redesigned to come from LX architecture for assembly at Bramalea a few years after the initial four products bow.
Initial volumes are expected to remain about the same annual capacity is slightly more than 250,000 units. The expectation is the new products will generate enough demand (from export markets as well) to restore the plant's third shift that was dropped as part of the corporate turnaround plan.
The rebirth of the Hemi engine adds an exclamation point to the overall product lineup. The smooth and powerful 5.7L Hemi Magnum V-8 debuted in the new Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup and will be added to light-duties in the new year."
The entire article is at waw.wardsauto.com
It's an auto industry magazine with several different versions for respective industries i.e. Dealer Business Journal and Ward's
Auto World. Pretty interesting reading.
"A precarious ladder involves the next-generation large-car family which makes the leap to rear-wheel drive. Four all-new models, with a fifth in the wings, are planned for the LX large car platform to be assembled at the Bramalea assembly plant in Brampton, Ont., Canada, Ward's has learned.
The plant will go down Sept. 26, 2003, for eight weeks of retooling, followed by nine weeks of ramp-up to Job One, slated for Jan. 19, 2004, sources say. The new vehicles will be designated as '04-1/2 models.
The auto maker will continue to build '04 models of the current LH FWD fullsize sedan platform that includes the Dodge Intrepid, Chrysler 300M, Concorde and the Concorde Limited (which replaced the LHS in the lineup beginning in model year '02).
Ward's is told the new LX rear-drive family will be comprised of the LX (replacing Intrepid); the LXi (replacing Concorde) and the 300N (replacing the 300M). A newcomer is a sport wagon with Dodge styling and SUV attributes.
And, when capital becomes available, plans to produce the Dodge Charger are expected to be dusted off. Sources say the initial plan contained funding to expand the Bramalea plant's footprint, making room for a second platform that was to include the Chrysler 300 Hemi C and the Dodge Charger, concepts shown at the Detroit auto show in 2000 and 1999, respectively.
The Hemi C is a 4-passenger RWD convertible powered by a Hemi V-8 engine. The Charger is a 4-door V-8, RWD sedan with coupe styling. While the concept had a supercharged, compressed natural gas 4.7L V-8, the production model was slated to receive a Hemi engine as well.
When Chrysler plummeted down the financial chute a few years ago, the convertible was dropped from the lineup. But Ward's is told the Charger is still on the books for when the money is available.
The underpinnings will be redesigned to come from LX architecture for assembly at Bramalea a few years after the initial four products bow.
Initial volumes are expected to remain about the same annual capacity is slightly more than 250,000 units. The expectation is the new products will generate enough demand (from export markets as well) to restore the plant's third shift that was dropped as part of the corporate turnaround plan.
The rebirth of the Hemi engine adds an exclamation point to the overall product lineup. The smooth and powerful 5.7L Hemi Magnum V-8 debuted in the new Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup and will be added to light-duties in the new year."
The entire article is at waw.wardsauto.com
It's an auto industry magazine with several different versions for respective industries i.e. Dealer Business Journal and Ward's
Auto World. Pretty interesting reading.