UH OH!!! DODGE VIPER THE VICTIM OF CHAPTER 11?
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http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Pistonheads Story said:
DODGE VIPER THE VICTIM OF CHAPTER 11?
Viper and Jeep Wrangler to be sold ahead of Fiat merger
The Dodge Viper may become an unexpected victim of the proposed tie-up between failing US giant Chrysler and its ambitious suitor Fiat.
The Viper brand, along with the Jeep Wrangler, are not thought to be part of the proposed rescue package that will exclude as many as eight US manufacturing facilities, including the Dodge Viper plant at Conner in Detroit.
The factory, which employs 115 staff, may however be sold off to help fund the re-emergent Chrysler brand. Rumours of a sale of the Viper brand and production facility have been rife since the company applied for government aid, but after details of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy agreement emerged last week it became clear that both the Viper name and Jeep’s Wrangler may not escape the auditor’s cut backs.
Chrysler has since gone on record to confirm that the company is willing to listen to offers for the Viper name: ‘Chrysler LLC is evaluating strategic alternatives for the Viper business including the potential sale of the Viper nameplate,’ a company representative said.
Given that the Viper brand was reportedly the target of several interested investment groups late last year it is likely it will successfully break away from Chrysler. However, within the dossier of Chapter 11 papers the Jeep Wrangler brand was identified as an element of the company that would require significant investment ‘in the range of $550 million to $1 billion’, casting doubt on the 22 year-old Wrangler brand’s future under Chrysler ownership.
Viper and Jeep Wrangler to be sold ahead of Fiat merger
The Dodge Viper may become an unexpected victim of the proposed tie-up between failing US giant Chrysler and its ambitious suitor Fiat.
The Viper brand, along with the Jeep Wrangler, are not thought to be part of the proposed rescue package that will exclude as many as eight US manufacturing facilities, including the Dodge Viper plant at Conner in Detroit.
The factory, which employs 115 staff, may however be sold off to help fund the re-emergent Chrysler brand. Rumours of a sale of the Viper brand and production facility have been rife since the company applied for government aid, but after details of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy agreement emerged last week it became clear that both the Viper name and Jeep’s Wrangler may not escape the auditor’s cut backs.
Chrysler has since gone on record to confirm that the company is willing to listen to offers for the Viper name: ‘Chrysler LLC is evaluating strategic alternatives for the Viper business including the potential sale of the Viper nameplate,’ a company representative said.
Given that the Viper brand was reportedly the target of several interested investment groups late last year it is likely it will successfully break away from Chrysler. However, within the dossier of Chapter 11 papers the Jeep Wrangler brand was identified as an element of the company that would require significant investment ‘in the range of $550 million to $1 billion’, casting doubt on the 22 year-old Wrangler brand’s future under Chrysler ownership.
straight off a Chrysler document released today
The plants currently scheduled for closing are as follows:
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant: A severe decline in the market has resulted in reduction of volumes and thus made operation of this plant not possible. The plant is expected to continue operation through December 2010.
Kenosha Engine: Unprecedented reduction in volume and demand for products has resulted in the decision to idle the plant in December 2010.
Detroit Axle: All required work will be moved to a new facility that is being developed in nearby Marysville, Mich. The plant will be idled in December 2010.
Twinsburg Stamping: Due to deteriorating volumes and in order to optimize capacity, existing volume will be transferred to Warren Stamping and Sterling Stamping plants effective March 2010.
Conner Avenue Assembly Plant: The facility and vehicle platform has been for sale since 2008. The site is scheduled to idle December 2009.
St. Louis North Assembly Plant: Due to volume reduction in the truck segment, capacity will be optimized by moving RamBox production to Warren Truck Assembly Plant effective third quarter of 2009.
Newark Assembly Plant (closed December 2008)
St. Louis South Assembly Plant (closed October 2008)
While most manufacturing operations have been temporarily idled in order to reduce dealer inventory and as part of the restructuring process, this idling was not the result of the bankruptcy filing, and we expect that most workers will be back on the job following the bankruptcy proceedings and the formation of the new company.
It is expected that virtually all employees associated with these facilities will be offered employment with the new company. The Jefferson North Assembly Plant is scheduled to add a second shift which represents 1,200 jobs coinciding with the introduction of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the company continues to address difficult market conditions, this alliance will ultimately provide Chrysler customers and dealers with a broader and more competitive lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles and technology.
The plants currently scheduled for closing are as follows:
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant: A severe decline in the market has resulted in reduction of volumes and thus made operation of this plant not possible. The plant is expected to continue operation through December 2010.
Kenosha Engine: Unprecedented reduction in volume and demand for products has resulted in the decision to idle the plant in December 2010.
Detroit Axle: All required work will be moved to a new facility that is being developed in nearby Marysville, Mich. The plant will be idled in December 2010.
Twinsburg Stamping: Due to deteriorating volumes and in order to optimize capacity, existing volume will be transferred to Warren Stamping and Sterling Stamping plants effective March 2010.
Conner Avenue Assembly Plant: The facility and vehicle platform has been for sale since 2008. The site is scheduled to idle December 2009.
St. Louis North Assembly Plant: Due to volume reduction in the truck segment, capacity will be optimized by moving RamBox production to Warren Truck Assembly Plant effective third quarter of 2009.
Newark Assembly Plant (closed December 2008)
St. Louis South Assembly Plant (closed October 2008)
While most manufacturing operations have been temporarily idled in order to reduce dealer inventory and as part of the restructuring process, this idling was not the result of the bankruptcy filing, and we expect that most workers will be back on the job following the bankruptcy proceedings and the formation of the new company.
It is expected that virtually all employees associated with these facilities will be offered employment with the new company. The Jefferson North Assembly Plant is scheduled to add a second shift which represents 1,200 jobs coinciding with the introduction of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the company continues to address difficult market conditions, this alliance will ultimately provide Chrysler customers and dealers with a broader and more competitive lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles and technology.
Edited by Viper on Wednesday 6th May 16:15
Chrysler media site
http://www.media.chrysler.com
the article is the 3rd one from the top at the moment
http://www.media.chrysler.com
the article is the 3rd one from the top at the moment
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