M80 PRODUCTION GREEN LIGHTED"We're anticipating the need for an additional 60,000 units per year," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "Our plan to add capacity to the Warren Truck Assembly Plant will not only help provide those additional units, but will also give us a bonus in added flexibility in production." While some specifics of the plan are still to be determined, it is anticipated the additional production at Warren Truck will come on-stream next summer.
The other possibility is the all-new plant planned for Windsor Ontario. This new facility will be a flexible manufacturing facility cable of building multiple models simultaneously similar to Jeeps' state-of-the-art Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP). Chrysler plans to create a "benchmark manufacturing facility for North America" which will be the model for all future plants. Zetsche states that "our goal is to design the most flexible manufacturing operation possible with minimal investment."
To achieve that DC is considering giving suppliers an equity stake in the project. For example Zetsche explained that suppliers may operate key components of the facility like the body and paint shops. The supplier would build these facilities in addition to staffing them and operating them.
Plans for the new plant are expected to be finalized some time in late 2003. The new facility is scheduled to begin production no later than the fourth quarter of 2005. This fits in nicely with the M80's time line.
During the debate regarding green-lighting the affordable compact truck, some questioned wether Dodge could sell enough M80's to make the truck profitable. The Buzz is that they've solved the problem.
One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that they're working on a Jeep version of the M80 platform! The plan is to offer it in conjunction with Jeep's upcoming "entry level" Jeeps (that's right Jeeps . . . more on that in the coming days).
Both the Dodge and the Jeep will stick to the formula. Dave McKinnon, Vice President for Design at the Chrysler Group explains "We found that one of the products that the market lacks . . . right now is what they call 'a real hot pickup truck, just for me, a friend and our gear'. The Dodge M80 concept is like 'son-of-Power Wagon'. It's an in-your-face pickup truck that is light, lean, agile, with four-wheel drive and a powerful engine."
The trucks will be relatively Spartan, featuring minimalist design and extensive use of molded-in-color PET plastic. The concept had PET fenders, bumpers, integrated side-storage lockers a PET bed liner. The Buzz is that the truck's may in-fact feature PET bodies. Chrysler and Husky have been working on this technology for several years, it's definitely possible that Chrysler's entry level SUV's and trucks will make extensive use of this material to meet their projected price points.
The key to the M80's success will be if they can actually keep the cost within that 15k or less target. If so both trucks will be a hit. If they end up costing around 20 grand . . . why bother? I'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Warning: This column is often based on rumors and information derived from unsubstantiated sources. Note: Any publication that reports on the copyrighted contents of this column without giving proper credit to www.car-truck.com as its source may be prosecuted for copyright infringement
Back in February Buzz Watch broke the story that the brass at Chrysler had given Dodge's M80 compact pick-up, a tentative green light. This year's M80 concept was a preview of the direction being considered for the affordable "Baby Ram." The drawing above is from the patent application for the M80's design that was approved earlier today.
One of my Ace Buzz patroller's tell me that the M80 has been officially green-lighted for production. Another reports that the program has been fast tracked because it's a favorite of Chrysler Groups Chief Operating Officer Wolfgang Bernhard. This, and the fact that the M80 is based a variation of the platform developed for the next generation Dakota and Durango (NB/HB) means that it should be coming to market fairly soon.
Back in February my source speculated that it might show up as early as the 2005 model year. It seems more likely that it will be a 2006, though it may be an early launch (ie early 2005). The launch date will probably be dictated by which facility Chrysler plans to use.
There are two leading contenders. The first is the Warren "Truck City" plant in Detroit. Warren Truck Assembly Plant currently builds Dodge Ram 1500 series Quad Cab models, and all the Dodge Dakota Regular, Club and Quad Cab pickup trucks. Chrysler recently announced that they will invest approximately $35 million in the plant. This will increase the plant's capacity by 21 percent, to a total of approximately 338,000 units a year.
"We're anticipating the need for an additional 60,000 units per year," said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "Our plan to add capacity to the Warren Truck Assembly Plant will not only help provide those additional units, but will also give us a bonus in added flexibility in production." While some specifics of the plan are still to be determined, it is anticipated the additional production at Warren Truck will come on-stream next summer.
The other possibility is the all-new plant planned for Windsor Ontario. This new facility will be a flexible manufacturing facility cable of building multiple models simultaneously similar to Jeeps' state-of-the-art Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP). Chrysler plans to create a "benchmark manufacturing facility for North America" which will be the model for all future plants. Zetsche states that "our goal is to design the most flexible manufacturing operation possible with minimal investment."
To achieve that DC is considering giving suppliers an equity stake in the project. For example Zetsche explained that suppliers may operate key components of the facility like the body and paint shops. The supplier would build these facilities in addition to staffing them and operating them.
Plans for the new plant are expected to be finalized some time in late 2003. The new facility is scheduled to begin production no later than the fourth quarter of 2005. This fits in nicely with the M80's time line.
During the debate regarding green-lighting the affordable compact truck, some questioned wether Dodge could sell enough M80's to make the truck profitable. The Buzz is that they've solved the problem.
One of my Ace Buzz Patrollers reports that they're working on a Jeep version of the M80 platform! The plan is to offer it in conjunction with Jeep's upcoming "entry level" Jeeps (that's right Jeeps . . . more on that in the coming days).
Both the Dodge and the Jeep will stick to the formula. Dave McKinnon, Vice President for Design at the Chrysler Group explains "We found that one of the products that the market lacks . . . right now is what they call 'a real hot pickup truck, just for me, a friend and our gear'. The Dodge M80 concept is like 'son-of-Power Wagon'. It's an in-your-face pickup truck that is light, lean, agile, with four-wheel drive and a powerful engine."
The trucks will be relatively Spartan, featuring minimalist design and extensive use of molded-in-color PET plastic. The concept had PET fenders, bumpers, integrated side-storage lockers a PET bed liner. The Buzz is that the truck's may in-fact feature PET bodies. Chrysler and Husky have been working on this technology for several years, it's definitely possible that Chrysler's entry level SUV's and trucks will make extensive use of this material to meet their projected price points.
The key to the M80's success will be if they can actually keep the cost within that 15k or less target. If so both trucks will be a hit. If they end up costing around 20 grand . . . why bother? I'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.
DODGE
Eng - Next Generation 4.7L Magnum V8 AB
Eng - Next Generation 4.7L Magnum V8 AN
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EVC Engine - 4.7L Ho V8 Mpi (All)
EVB Engine-4.7L V8 Multiple Displacement (All)
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JEEP
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I have talk someone already about the creation of the site forum and now will have to find the individual who was responsible for the name sake.
If you are looking to track the car-truck guy down you might try posting at moparts or scatpack. I believe some of the guys there know who he is. I believe he lives in Colorado.
Anyone know why car-truck was taken offline? I loved that site.
yeah the car-truck site was definately the best site for inside info.i was traumatized when it ended and didnt know what to do... it was like i got addicted to the site
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CTNews (old): 06 Dodge M80 Receive the Green Light?
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