Big Ceremony To Launch Chrysler's Big Cars

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

Interview: Brampton plant manager Kevin Hayes.

Chrysler celebrating the launch of it's new big cars—the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger—with a ceremony at the company's Brampton Assembly Plant, in Ontario.

"We're all confident that we'll be very successful with these two cars, along with the Challenger, that's also coming out now," said plant manager Kevin Hayes.

Hayes telling WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert that they did a lot of work on the plant to prepare it for this launch, and convert it to Chrysler's new "World Class Manufacturing" system, that's being installed at all of the company's facilities.

"It's total involvement with all the employees understanding how the business is run, and having them being part of the business, and making decisions," says Hayes.

2700 people work at the Brampton Assembly Plant, on two shifts. The facility was built as an American Motors plant in 1986, and became a part of Chrysler when that company bought American Motors.

The 300 and 300C were among the best selling vehicles in the industry, when they debuted in 2004. However, sales dropped off as they aged. A planned update two years ago was delayed by Chrysler's financial problems and bankruptcy.

"The all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 series sedans deliver the cutting-edge American style and innovation, while closing the elusive gap between aspiration and ownership," said Olivier Francois, President and CEO — Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, in a statement released by the company. "Designed to give people what they deserve, not merely what they paid for, the all-new Chrysler flagship integrates world-class quality, technology and premium materials to make a mark on the streets, highways and boulevards of the world."

Chrysler says the new 300 will have a price range from $27,000 into the low forties.

The company listing some of the vehicle's attributes in a press release:

• All-new Chrysler 300 sedans provide customers with elegant style, grand-touring performance, best-in-class seat comfort and the precision, refinement, premium materials and quality of the world's best E-segment luxury sedans starting at $27,995 (including destination)
• All-new flex-fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers 292 best-in-class horsepower and an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy, while the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 with Fuel Saver Technology delivers 363 horsepower and 0-60 mph in less than six seconds
• State-of-the-art connectivity, infotainment and more than 70 safety and security features keep passengers of the all-new 2011 Chrysler 300 connected, comfortable and secure

The 300 will make its public debut at the North American International Auto Show next week.