Windsor Assembly

Windsor Assembly
The factory as seen in 2006
Map
Operated1928–present
LocationWindsor, Ontario
Coordinates42°17′48.9″N 82°59′7.4″W / 42.296917°N 82.985389°W / 42.296917; -82.985389
IndustryAutomotive
ProductsMinivans
Employees4,123 (2022) [1]
ArchitectHutton & Souter
Area177 acres (0.72 km2) [1]
Volume4,400,000 sq ft (410,000 m2) [1]
Address2199 Chrysler Centre
Owner(s)Stellantis Canada

Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP) is a Stellantis Canada automobile factory in Windsor, Ontario. The factory opened in 1928 and Chrysler minivans production began in 1983.[2] Windsor Assembly is Windsor's largest employer.[3] The plant currently operates two shifts with over 4,200 employees.[2]

Overview

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The plant was designed by the architectural firm Hutton & Souter.[4] It covers 408,773 square metres (4.4 million sq. ft.)[2] on 50 hectares (120 acres) and manufactured the Generation I Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans from 1983 until 1991. The Generation II minivans, constructed on the AS platform was equipped with an optional V6 engine and in a new long wheel-base version. The Generation III (NS) minivan production began in 1995 — with dual sliding doors. Starting in July 2000, the Generation IV (RS) minivan, which included the Stow'n Go seating, was produced until July 2007. In August 2007, the Generation V (RT) minivan was introduced which continues with the Stow 'n Go and features the new Swivel'n Go seating. The current Chrysler Pacifica (RU) minivan, that replaced the Chrysler Town & Country, entered production in 2016 for the 2017 model year and includes both gasoline engine and plug-in hybrid versions.

In March 2019, FCA Canada announced it would cut the third shift at Windsor Assembly, eliminating 1,500 jobs.[5] Although the third shift was initially scheduled to end in September 2019, it was extended multiple times. The third shift finally ended on July 10, 2020.[6]

Production of the Dodge Grand Caravan ended August 21, 2020 as FCA moves retail and fleet customers to the new entry-level Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Grand Caravan.[7]

Vehicles produced

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Current

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Past

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Windsor Assembly assembled many vehicles before the plant was converted in 1982 for the production of the Minivan. Although the vehicle has had many names under different brands, the minivan has always been built at WAP. A deal with Volkswagen resulted in the plant assembling the Routan (RM) on the same platform as the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models in August 2008. Production lasted until 2013.

With the closure of Windsor Assembly's sister plant, Saint Louis Assembly, in Fenton, Missouri in October 2008, WAP started producing the right-hand drive and diesel versions for the world market in August 2009 for the 2010 model year under the Chrysler nameplate and eventually the Lancia Voyager.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Windsor Assembly on Stellantis NA
  2. ^ a b c d "Stellantis Media - Windsor Assembly Plant". Stellantis North America. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Local Companies | WEEDC - Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation". choosewindsoressex.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  4. ^ Ohrnberger, Klaus H.; Marzotto, Tito R. (August 2016). "Transforming a Historic Auto Plant". Structure.
  5. ^ "FCA Canada to stop third shift at Windsor Assembly Plant, cutting 1,500 jobs". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  6. ^ "Some workers leave Windsor Assembly Plant as retirees after FCA ends third shift". CBC News. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  7. ^ "Last Dodge Grand Caravan rolls off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant". CTV News. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
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