While the disaster in Japan has impacted nearly every auto maker to some degree, certain makers have been more immune to the aftermath than others. Despite a perception that U.S. makers are insulated from the impacts, the fact is that nearly every car made has at least some components sourced from Japan. In an effort to minimize the impacts to themselves, Chrysler has shifted the summer shutdown of three U.S. plants from July to June.
The length of the shut downs will remain the same, but the move allows parts suppliers a few additional weeks to get their production back up to meet demand. The truck plant in Warren, Michigan and assembly plants in Toledo, Ohio and Toledo Supplier Park will all be impacted by the new schedule. The Warren and Toledo plants will be idled for the weeks of June 20th and 27th instead of July 11th and 18th while Toledo Supplier Park plant will be closed for the week of June 20th instead of July 11th.
The models involved include the Ram 1500 and Dakota pickup trucks, the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler, as well as the Dodge Nitro.