Chrysler LLC and officials from the Mexican government celebrate the opening of a supplier park adjacent to the auto maker's Toluca, Mexico, assembly plant.
Toluca Car Assembly is a 220-acre (89 ha). DaimlerChrysler announced a US$1 billion investment. The expanded Chrysler Park adjoins the plant and represents a joint venture of eight outside suppliers, including TRW, Magna Intier, IPO, Seglo, HBPO, Android, Brose and Gestamp.
Dubbed Chrysler Park, the project is a $1 billion joint collaboration between the privately held auto maker and supplier partners. It will provide parts for production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and upcoming Dodge Journey cross/utility vehicle that bowed at the Frankfurt auto show in mid-September. Journey production is scheduled to begin early next year, with the CUV hitting dealerships in first-quarter 2008.
Chrysler Park will house eight suppliers – TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., Magna Intier, IPO Rear Closures, Seglo S.A. de C.V., Hella Behr Plastic Omnium, Android Industries, Brose Group and Gestamp Automotive – and will generate 1,600 new jobs.
“Chrysler Park helps make Toluca a highly competitive assembly operation,” says Oscar Albin, purchasing and suppliers quality direction, Chrysler de Mexico LLC.
“This operation's total annual purchasing scope is more than $300 million, giving us a tremendous opportunity.”
The new supplier park is expected to provide Toluca assembly with one of North America's most modern automotive supplier logistic operations, Chrysler says.
