In 2009, Chrysler, one of Michigan's Big 3 automotive companies, emerged from bankruptcy with the aid of Italian automotive company Fiat, forming Chrysler Group LLC. With headquarters located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the new alliance boasts a product line that includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, SRT, Fiat, and Mopar vehicles. Under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler returned to profitability less than 2 years after filing for bankruptcy. With over 70,000 employees, a massive technical facility, and a beneficial merger with Fiat, Chrysler Group LLC has put itself in position to be a major factor in the American and global automotive industries. [1]
Chrysler Group's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan also houses its technical facility, known as the Chrysler Technical Center (CTC). The entire complex covers 5.4 million square feet, a size only the Pentagon exceeds, and is the workplace for about 11,000 employees. Opened in 1991, the technical center includes a 170,000 square foot pilot production plant and eight design studios, along with emissions and noise, vibration, and harshness labs, a powertrain test center, an electromagnetic compatibility facility, and an aero-acoustic wind tunnel. The engine test cells are built on their own foundations so conducting tests will not pass vibrations throughout the rest of the complex, and a 1.8 mile evaluation road and wide basement hallways allow vehicles to be run and tested within the complex. The advantage of having its main technical facility and headquarters all under one roof allows Chrysler Group's employees to work more efficiently and interact directly with each department, as well as upper management. [1][2]
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| An aerial view of Chrysler headquarters and the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI [4] |
With its latest lineup of vehicles, Chrysler Group is setting itself up for a productive year in 2014. The 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan will become the industry's first mid-size sedan with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the vehicle to obtain highway fuel economy fuel ratings of 35 miles per gallon. Also a first is the sedan's fully disconnecting rear axle, which will improve fuel economy when all-wheel drive is not necessary. Dodge sports a 2014 lineup that includes the Journey, which enjoyed its best sales year ever in 2013, along with the Durango, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Avenger, and Grand Caravan. The compact Dart sports a 2.4-liter, 184 horsepower Tigershark engine, a 8.4-inch touchscreen, and notable safety features such as 10 standard air bags. Jeep has set a company sales record for its 2014 Grand Cherokee SUV, and the Ram 1500 pickup truck earned a best in-class 28 miles per gallon and allows 9,200 pounds of towing capacity. Fiat has joined the fray as well with the introduction of the 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, small cars designed with race-car enthusiasts in mind. Finally, the SRT Viper offers another option for track aficionados. Chrysler Group has created a diverse array of vehicles that will appeal to consumers of all walks of life in 2014. [3]
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| 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan [5] |
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| 2014 Dodge Dart [6] |
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| 2014 Ram 1500 [7] |
With a newfound lease on life thanks to the merger with Fiat, the state-of-the-art testing facility and headquarters, and a new, innovative lineup of vehicles that appeal to many types of consumers, Chrysler Group LLC is slated for continued growth, both nationally and globally.
Sources:
[1] "About Us - Chrysler Group LLC." Chrysler Group LLC. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.chryslergroupllc.com/company/AboutUs/Pages/AboutUs.aspx>.
[2] "Chrysler Technical Center (CTC) and Auburn Hills Complex." Chrysler Technical Center (CTC) and Auburn Hills Complex. Allpar, n.d. Web. <http://www.allpar.com/corporate/factories/CTC.html>.
[3]"Brands and Products." Chrysler Group LLC. Chrysler Group LLC, n.d. Web. <http://media.chrysler.com/newsroom.do?id=174&mid=356>.
[4] <http://imagine-mexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chrysler-auburn-hills-mi-headquarters2.jpg>
[5] <http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2015-chrysler-200_100452642_l.jpg>
[6] <http://www.dodge.com/assets/images/vehicles/2014/dart/gallery/large/2014-dart-exterior-redbrick.jpg>
[7] <http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2014-ram-1500_100441346_m.jpg>
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