XPost: can.politics, tor.general   
   From: Paula@nyet.ca   
      
   We can only hope.  Canadians are way behind in their production of any   
   electric-powered vehicle.  Let's hope this 'secret vehicle' is an electric one.   
   ____________________________________   
   CBC News Posted: Dec 29, 2014   
      
   Chrysler expands Windsor plant, preps for 'future vehicle'   
   Chrysler has started expanding and retooling its Windsor Assembly Plant in the   
   southwestern Ontario city.   
      
      
   Expansion of Chrysler's Windsor Assembly Plant is underway in the southwestern   
   Ontario city and it's linked to the production of "a future vehicle," the   
   company says on Facebook.   
      
   The company said the expansion was "designed to get the plant ready" for the   
   vehicle.   
      
   "And sorry, we can’t yet tell you what’ll [sic] be," the post reads, in   
   part.   
      
   It's possible the "future vehicle" is simply the next generation of the   
   company's minivan, but Chrysler is mum on the construction, facility upgrade   
   and potential new products.   
      
   "We are limiting our comments to what was in the release," spokeswoman Jodi   
   Tinson said in a one-sentence email to CBC News.   
      
   In a followup email, Tinson said Chrysler does not comment on future product.   
      
   However, some plant workers are already speculating on possibilities.   
      
   "All I know is that it's an SUV," said Wayne Verstick, a quality control leader   
   with more than 30 years at the plant. "A tiny SUV. It could be the next   
   Durango."   
      
   The company is spending close to $2 billion to retool, according to Unifor   
   National president Jerry Dias.   
      
   'I think this is a great Christmas gift," said Unifor Local 444 president Dino   
   Chiodo.   
      
   "I think there are obvious capabilities," added Chiodo, who would not confirm   
   plans for a new SUV. "You don't want to spend that kind of money and go   
   elsewhere."   
      
   The automaker started retooling and expanding its minivan facility on Boxing   
   Day.   
      
      
   New line is ergonomic   
      
   The company is using a 545-tonne crane to install 200 pieces of structural   
   steel to create a new conveyor enclosure on the plant’s roof.   
      
   The enclosure will house the plant’s new skillet line.   
      
   The skillet moves the vehicle along the assembly line, adjusting its height to   
   the desired level for workers, improving vehicle quality with a better line of   
   sight, Chrysler said in a statement.   
      
   The skillet also provides optimal ergonomic positioning, which allows workers   
   to function in the "golden zone," a 60-degree window in front of the employee,   
   ideal to present parts.   
      
   The conveyor enclosure and skillet line are among many improvements planned for   
   the Windsor plant. Additional projects will be completed during 14 weeks of   
   downtime beginning in February.   
      
      
   No government investment   
      
   Earlier this year, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne intimated upper levels of   
   government had to come to the table with significant funding or risk losing   
   Chrysler production in Ontario.   
      
   Chrysler stopped talking investment with the federal and provincial governments   
   when the issue became, as he called it, "a political football."   
      
   Chrysler later confirmed the 2015 model year would be the end of the line for   
   the Grand Caravan, but there was some relief when it committed to producing the   
   new Town and Country minivan in Windsor.   
      
   Chrysler said in a media release in March that it would "fund out of its own   
   resources whatever capital requirements the Canadian operations require."   
      
   'I think it went without saying that Marchionne was going to go at it alone,"   
   said Chiodo.   
      
   Chrysler announced in May it will stop producing Dodge Grand Caravans.   
      
   Instead, the company will continue to build only its luxury model minivan, the   
   Chrysler Town and Country, at the Windsor Assembly Plant.   
      
   Built in 1928, the plant now occupies 4.4 million square feet of floor space,   
   and has 4,600 employees across three shifts to produce the Dodge Grand Caravan,   
   Chrysler Town & Country, Ram Cargo Van, and Lancia Grand Voyager.   
      
   Its signature minivans went into production in 1983.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)