Windsor Assembly Plant(WAP) is aStellantis Canadaautomobile factory inWindsor, Ontario.The factory opened in 1928 andChrysler minivansproduction began in 1983.[2]Windsor Assembly is Windsor's largest employer.[3]The plant currently operates two shifts with over 4,200 employees.[2]
| Windsor Assembly | |
|---|---|
 The factory as seen in 2006 | |
 | |
| Operated | 1928–present |
| Location | Windsor, Ontario |
| Coordinates | 42°17′48.9″N82°59′7.4″W/ 42.296917°N 82.985389°W |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Products | Minivans |
| Employees | 4,123 (2022)[1] |
| Architect | Hutton & Souter |
| Area | 177 acres (0.72 km2)[1] |
| Volume | 4,400,000 sq ft (410,000 m2)[1] |
| Address | 2199 Chrysler Centre |
| Owner(s) | Stellantis Canada |
Overview
editThe plant was designed by the architectural firmHutton & Souter.[4]It covers 408,773 square metres (4.4 million sq. ft.)[2]on 50 hectares (120 acres) and manufactured the Generation IDodge CaravanandPlymouth Voyagerminivans from 1983 until 1991. The Generation II minivans, constructed on the ASplatformwas 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 theStow'n Goseating, was produced until July 2007. In August 2007, the Generation V (RT) minivan was introduced which continues with theStow 'n Goand features the newSwivel'n Goseating. The currentChrysler Pacifica(RU) minivan, that replaced the Chrysler Town & Country, entered production in 2016 for the 2017 model year and includes both gasoline engine andplug-in hybridversions.
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]
Vehicles produced
editCurrent
edit- Chrysler Pacifica(2017–present)[2]
- Chrysler Voyager/Grand Caravan(2020–present)
- Dodge Charger(2024–present)
Past
editWindsor 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 withVolkswagenresulted in the plant assembling theRoutan(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,Saint Louis Assembly,inFenton, Missouriin 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.
- 1953–1955Dodge M37/M43
- 1959–1960Chrysler Saratoga
- 1960–1966Plymouth Valiant
- 1961–1966Chrysler Windsor
- 1964–1965Valiant Barracuda
- 1967–1976Dodge Dart
- 1967–1976Plymouth Valiant
- 1975–1978Dodge Charger
- 1975–1983Chrysler Cordoba
- 1978Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck
- 1978–1979Dodge Magnum
- 1980–1983Dodge Mirada
- 1981Chrysler LeBaron
- 1981–1983Chrysler Imperial
- 1981–1983Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Caravelle/Plymouth Gran Fury
- 1982–1983Chrysler New Yorker/Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue
- 1984–2000Plymouth Voyager
- 1984–2007Dodge Caravan
- 1987–2000Plymouth Grand Voyager
- 1987–2020Dodge Grand Caravan
- 1990–2016Chrysler Town & Country
- 2001–2003Chrysler Voyager
- 2004–2008Chrysler Pacifica
- 2009–2013Volkswagen Routan
- 2011–2014Lancia Voyager
- 2012–2015Ram C/V Tradesman
References
edit- ^abcWindsor Assemblyon Stellantis NA
- ^abcd"Stellantis Media - Windsor Assembly Plant".Stellantis North America.Retrieved22 January2022.
- ^"Local Companies | WEEDC - Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation".choosewindsoressex.Retrieved2020-07-16.
- ^Ohrnberger, Klaus H.; Marzotto, Tito R. (August 2016)."Transforming a Historic Auto Plant".Structure.
- ^"FCA Canada to stop third shift at Windsor Assembly Plant, cutting 1,500 jobs".Windsor Star.Retrieved2020-07-16.
- ^"Some workers leave Windsor Assembly Plant as retirees after FCA ends third shift".CBC News.2020-07-10.Retrieved2020-07-16.
- ^"Last Dodge Grand Caravan rolls off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant".CTV News.2020-08-21.Retrieved2020-08-21.
