It's only been a week since Jeep had to stop production of the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee due to lack of steering wheels, but it appears that hasn't stopped them from reaching a new production milestone: six million vehicles made at the Jefferson North assembly plant.
The car for the occasion is a 2016 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition. The first one was also a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which rolled off the line on January 14th, 1992.
The Fiat-Chrysler Alliance says that in those 24 years, Jefferson has made enough cars to circle the globe one and a half times. Demand has been high, so nearly 4,500 people currently work at the 3-million-square-foot facility on an alternative work schedule, meaning three crews work two 10-hour shifts each day, six days a week.
It takes a day and a half for your average Jeep to travel from the body shop, where the panels are welded together, to the point where the car rolls off the assembly line.
Last year Jefferson North produced 365,542 vehicles, 25% of which are shipped overseas. This is one of three Fiat Chrysler factories in the Detroit area, along with Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, home of the Dodge Viper, and the Mack Avenue Engine Complex.
This isn't just the home of the Grand Cherokee. Between 2005 and 2010, they also made the Jeep Commander there. In December 2010, the assembly line also took in the Dodge Durango. In 2013, we told you that Jefferson North finished making the Grand Cherokee number 5 million.
“Reaching this milestone is a reflection of this plant’s commitment to supporting the continued growth of the Jeep brand around the world and playing a role in the comeback of Detroit,” said Curt Towne, Jefferson North Plant Manager when the 3.6-liter V6 of the milestone SUV started at 8:30 p.m. “Our employees are proud to be part of this unique time in the history of both the Company and the City. They understand that not only are they contributing to the success of FCA US, but they are proving that Detroit will always be the Motor City.”
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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