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Chrysler Group celebrated the
launch of production of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand
Cherokee at an event yesterday at the Jefferson North
(Detroit) Assembly Plant (JNAP). Chrysler Group also
announced that it will add a second shift of production
with 1,080 employees.
“The production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand
Cherokee signals the rebirth of the Chrysler Group,”
said Sergio Marchionne who is the CEO of Chrysler Group. “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.”
Marchionne, along with Michigan Governor Jennifer M.
Granholm, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S.
Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI -13th
District), Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Wayne County
Executive Robert Ficano, Vice President and Director of
the UAW Chrysler Department General Holiefield, other
members of the Michigan delegation and local officials
joined employees in recognizing the importance of the
plant, the workforce and the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee
in the future success of the Company.
The nearly 3-million-square-foot assembly plant, located
in Detroit, has been the site of Grand Cherokee
production since its introduction in 1992. In fact,
Chrysler Group is the only automotive manufacturer with
more than one manufacturing facility in the city of
Detroit.
In front of more than 1,400 current UAW-represented JNAP
employees and further demonstrating the Company’s
commitment to its largest assembly plant in Detroit,
Marchionne also announced that Chrysler Group would add
a second shift of production at JNAP, beginning July 19.
A total of 1,080 employees will staff the second shift
with nearly all new hires.
“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.
“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.”
In preparation for production of the all-new Grand
Cherokee, JNAP went through a complete transformation as
part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), an extensive
and thorough process to restore all Chrysler Group
facilities to their original and maximum functionality.
JNAP employees have planned and executed hundreds of
projects aimed at improving the work environment,
maximizing quality, minimizing waste and preparing for
the new product. JNAP is producing the new Grand
Cherokee in an all-new flexible body shop that will
deliver the most precise body dimensions ever built. In
total, Chrysler Group invested $686 million on the Grand
Cherokee program, which included investments at the
plant.
“With the hard work and dedication of the UAW
represented workforce here at JNAP, the plant is
fundamentally unrecognizable from what it was before,”
said the UAW’s Holiefield. “The employees are excited
about the product, the plant and our future.”
The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Nearly two decades ago, Jeep invented the
premium sport-utility vehicle segment with the
introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nearly two
decades later, Jeep delivers an all-new Grand Cherokee
that balances legendary Jeep capability with improved,
sophisticated on-road dynamics that deliver a premium
driving experience.
“With the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee, Jeep has created
the benchmark, premium SUV,” said Mike Manley, President
and CEO – Jeep Brand. “Unique innovations such as our
new Quadra-Lift™ air suspension and Selec-Terrain™
traction control systems separate Jeep from the crowd
and take the Grand Cherokee to the next level of 4x4
capability. The new generation of the iconic Jeep Grand
Cherokee delivers the perfect blend of on-road
refinement, superb craftsmanship, world-class design,
improved fuel economy, innovative features and
legendary, real-world capability.”
Capability highlights include a choice of three 4x4
systems, new Jeep Quadra-Lift Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain
systems, and towing capability of 7,400 lbs. On-road
dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front
and rear suspension systems and a new body structure
that dramatically increases torsional stiffness for
reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels.
The design of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts an
all-new sculpted body and athletic profile that define a
sleek exterior and aerodynamic finesse. CommandView - a
new dual-pane panoramic sun roof - extends from the
windshield to the rear of the vehicle. A world-class
interior design is highlighted by premium soft-touch
interior materials for all models. The interior provides
consumers with more than four inches of increased
rear-seat knee and leg room, and 17 percent more cargo
volume.
Chrysler Group’s all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter
Pentastar V-6 engine boasts an 11 percent improvement in
fuel economy for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivering up
to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. The
all-new flexible-fuel engine is standard on the Grand
Cherokee, and features Variable-valve Timing (VVT),
double overhead camshafts and a high-pressure die-cast
aluminum cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration.
More than 45 safety and security features are available
in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including
standard Active Head Restraints, full-length
side-curtain and seat-mounted side thorax air bags,
Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Roll
Mitigation, Hill-start Assist, and Trailer-sway Control.
A Blind-spot/Rear Cross-path detection system and
Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning
are available. Numerous advanced technology features are
offered, including live mobile TV (FLO TV), SIRIUS
Backseat TV and UConnect Web, which transforms the
vehicle into a “hot spot” to deliver the Internet
directly to the vehicle. The Grand Cherokee will be
available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland.
Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 pricing starts at $30,995 -
$495 lower than the outgoing model while Laredo 4x4 pricing
starts at $32,995 - $465 lower than the outgoing model.
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