Windsor Assembly

Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP) is a Stellantis Canada automobile factory in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The factory opened in 1928 and minivan production began in 1983.[1] Windsor Assembly is Windsor's largest employer.[2] The plant currently operates two shifts with over 4,000 employees.

Windsor Assembly
Site of Windsor Assembly Plant
Built1928
LocationWindsor, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates42°17′48.9″N 82°59′7.4″W
IndustryAutomotive
Products
Employees4,671
Area4,400,000 sq ft (410,000 m2)
Address
  • 2199 Chrysler Centre
  • Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Overview

The plant was designed by the architectural firm Hutton & Souter.[3] It covers 408,773 square metres (4.4 million sq. ft.)[4] on 50 hectares (123.3 acres) and manufactured the Generation I Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans from 1983 until 1991. The Generation II minivans, constructed on the AS platform was equipped with an optional V6 engine and in a new long wheel-base version. The Generation III (NS) minivan production began in 1995 — with dual sliding doors. Starting in July 2000, the Generation IV (RS) minivan, which included the Stow'n Go seating, was produced until July 2007. In August 2007, the Generation V (RT) minivan was introduced which continues with the Stow 'n Go and features the new Swivel'n Go seating. The current Chrysler Pacifica (RU) minivan, that replaced the Chrysler Town & Country, entered production in 2016 for the 2017 model year and includes both gasoline engine and plug-in hybrid versions.

In March 2019, FCA Canada announced it would cut the third shift at Windsor Assembly, eliminating 1,500 jobs.[5] Although the third shift was initially scheduled to end in September 2019, it was extended multiple times. The third shift finally ended on July 10, 2020.[6]

Production of the Dodge Grand Caravan ended August 21, 2020 as FCA moves retail and fleet customers to the new entry-level Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Grand Caravan.[7]

Current Products (model years)

Past Products (model years)

Windsor Assembly assembled many vehicles before the plant was converted in 1982 for the production of the Minivan. Although the vehicle has had many names under different brands, the minivan has always been built at WAP. A deal with Volkswagen resulted in the plant assembling the Routan (RM) on the same platform as the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models in August 2008. Production lasted until 2013.

With the closure of Windsor Assembly's sister plant in St. Louis, Missouri in October 2008, WAP started producing the right-hand drive and diesel versions for the world market in August 2009 for the 2010 model year under the Chrysler nameplate and eventually the Lancia Voyager.

Some of the past models made at the plant included:

References
  1. "FCA US Media - Windsor Assembly Plant". FCA North America. January 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  2. "Local Companies | WEEDC - Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation". choosewindsoressex.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  3. Ohrnberger, Klaus H.; Marzotto, Tito R. (August 2016). "Transforming a Historic Auto Plant". Structure.
  4. "Chrysler Media Info". Chrysler Media. 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  5. "FCA Canada to stop third shift at Windsor Assembly Plant, cutting 1,500 jobs". Windsor Star. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  6. "Some workers leave Windsor Assembly Plant as retirees after FCA ends third shift". CBC News. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  7. "Last Dodge Grand Caravan rolls off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant". CTV News. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
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