"The production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee signals the rebirth of the Chrysler Group," said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group LLC CEO. "The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a signature vehicle for Chrysler. It represents the best of this Company, the direction we're moving toward producing high quality, technologically advanced vehicles. We are confident the Grand Cherokee will receive the proper recognition for what it stands for when it hits the road in June."
The Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit is a nearly 3-million-square-foot assembly plant which first started production of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1992. That being said, Chrysler is the only automaker to still build vehicles in Detroit.
"We are anticipating that there will be strong customer demand for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so we decided it was prudent to add a second shift of production," said Marchionne.
Several key people were present at the event, which was held in front of 1,400 current UAW-represented JNAP employees, to emphasize the support and importance of the plant.
"Chrysler's launch of its 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee demonstrates our determination that the vehicles of the future will be built right here in Michigan," said Gov. Granholm. "I want to thank Chrysler for making a strong commitment to our state and creating jobs in Michigan."
"With the hard work and dedication of the UAW represented workforce here at JNAP, the plant is fundamentally unrecognizable from what it was before. The employees are excited about the product, the plant and our future," concluded UAW's Holiefield.
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