Chrysler Grand Voyager Begins Production Windsor, Canada

American manufacturer Chrysler announced today it has begun assembly of the Grand Voyager model at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada. The people-mover built here will take to both the domestic and international markets, as the facility's layout allows for both left-and right-hand drive versions of the Grand to be assembled at the same time.

"In spite of an extremely challenging first half-year, Chrysler is continuing to invest in Canada," Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada president and CEO said in a release. "In July we announced that we will retain the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant. Today we are stepping up our commitment by expanding the products we build at the plant and preserving jobs in Ontario and Canada."

The seven seater comes with a choice of both diesel and petrol engines, with outputs ranging from 161 to 190 hp. The most wide-spread model in international markets is the 2.8l CRD engine, which accounts for some 90 percent of sales in Europe. Last year, Chrysler managed to sell some 21,513 minivans outside North America.

The Grand Voyager, as it is know in markets outside North America, offers, more than 65 people-mover first features,Chrysler says, including Stow ‘n' Go and Swivel ‘n' Go seating and storage systems.

The Windsor facility, which stretches for 177 acres, employs around 4,600 workers, almost half of the Canadian Chrysler workforce. It was established in 1928 and went through tough times during Chrysler's bankruptcy earlier this year.