Several Fiat factories in Europe, including Pomigliano, Italy, and Tychy, Poland, were benchmarked by engineers from Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly Plant before producing the new Dodge Dart.
The Dodge Dart compact sedan differs significantly from the two other vehicles that are built at Chrysler’s Belvidere, IL, assembly plant—the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot sport utility vehicle.
TOYOTA, Japan—Toyota unveiled new manufacturing technologies at its flagship assembly plant here, including laser welders, stamping machines and a highly flexible assembly line that can grow or shrink over a weekend to adjust to demand.
TERRE HAUTE, IN—ThyssenKrupp Presta is spending $22 million to expand its assembly plant here. The manufacturer of automotive steering systems expects to add 120 jobs by 2013.
DETROIT—For the first time in more than 20 years, U.S. automakers are questioning a pillar of manufacturing: The practice of just-in-time manufacturing.