Chrysler Group LLC celebrated the launch of production of the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee at an event today at the Jefferson North (Detroit) Assembly Plant (JNAP). Chrysler Group also announced that it will add a second shift of production with 1,080 employees.

"The production launch of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee signals the rebirth of the Chrysler Group," said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group LLC CEO. "The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a signature vehicle for Chrysler. It represents the best of this Company, the direction we're moving toward producing high quality, technologically advanced vehicles. We are confident the Grand Cherokee will receive the proper recognition for what it stands for when it hits the road in June."

Marchionne, along with Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI -13th District), Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department General Holiefield, other members of the Michigan delegation and local officials joined employees in recognizing the importance of the plant, the workforce and the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in the future success of the Company.

The nearly 3-million-square-foot assembly plant, located in Detroit, has been the site of Grand Cherokee production since its introduction in 1992. In fact, Chrysler Group is the only automotive manufacturer still producing vehicles in the city of Detroit.

In front of more than 1,400 current UAW-represented JNAP employees and further demonstrating the Company's commitment to its largest assembly plant in Detroit, Marchionne also announced that Chrysler Group would add a second shift of production at JNAP, beginning July 19. A total of 1,080 employees will staff the second shift with nearly all new hires.

"We are anticipating that there will be strong customer demand for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so we decided it was prudent to add a second shift of production," said Marchionne.

"Chrysler's launch of its 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee demonstrates our determination that the vehicles of the future will be built right here in Michigan," said Gov. Granholm. "I want to thank Chrysler for making a strong commitment to our state and creating jobs in Michigan."

In preparation for production of the all-new Grand Cherokee, JNAP went through a complete transformation as part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), an extensive and thorough process to restore all Chrysler Group facilities to their original and maximum functionality. JNAP employees have planned and executed hundreds of projects aimed at improving the work environment, maximizing quality, minimizing waste and preparing for the new product. JNAP is producing the new Grand Cherokee in an all-new flexible body shop that will deliver the most precise body dimensions ever built. In total, Chrysler Group invested $686 million on the Grand Cherokee program, which included investments at the plant.

"With the hard work and dedication of the UAW represented workforce here at JNAP, the plant is fundamentally unrecognizable from what it was before," said the UAW's Holiefield. "The employees are excited about the product, the plant and our future."

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