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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Chrysler’s Windsor, Ontario, Assembly Plant Expansion Leads To Rollout of Electrified Minivan

12/03/2016
This week the industry's first-ever electrified minivan, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, rolled off the line at the FCA US Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada.

"The nearly 5,900 employees at Windsor Assembly are bringing more than 33 years of minivan production knowledge and expertise to the launch of the Pacifica Hybrid," said Brian Harlow, Head of Manufacturing, FCA – North America. "They understand, now more than ever, how critical it is for our manufacturing processes to be directly connected to our diverse and expanding customer base.

"Building the Dodge Grand Caravan, the Chrysler Pacifica with the traditional gas powertrain and now the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid on the same assembly line requires the expanded application of World Class Manufacturing methods and tools to ensure we deliver world class quality in every vehicle we make," said Harlow. "The Windsor team is proud to build the industry's first hybrid minivan, and is confident that it will provide a positive and delightful experience to our future customers."

The automaker said it hybrid version of the sixth-generation family hauler will deliver a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  approved range of 33 miles solely on zero-emissions electric power from a 16-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. The Pacifica Hybrid also earned a fuel-economy rating of 84 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) from the EPA, reflecting the vehicle's combined city- and highway-cycle performance in electric-mode only, as tested.

"Minivan drivers travel an average of around 30 miles each day, meaning that most Pacifica Hybrid owners will be able to complete their daily activities solely on electric power," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat, FCA - North America. "For those longer weekend trips, the 33-mile all-electric range combined with a full tank of fuel will deliver an expected total range of 566 miles, alleviating the potential of any range anxiety."

The battery pack – neatly packaged under the second-row floor in a unique battery case to retain maximum interior volume for both passengers and cargo – may be fully recharged in as little as two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system.

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