Dieter Zetsche Launches Production Of All-New 2004 Chrysler Pacifica at Windsor Assembly Plant

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- The first all-new
2004 Chrysler Pacifica today rolled off the production line at the Chrysler
Group's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario (Canada).  Pacifica takes
the best attributes of a car, sport utility vehicle and minivan and combines
them into one package.
    "This is the best launch in terms of quality in the history of the Windsor
Assembly Plant," said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO.
"While it is still early, our accomplishments so far demonstrate our pledge to
deliver the highest quality products to our customers."
    At a ceremony to celebrate the launch, Zetsche credited employees for this
milestone.  During the pre-production phase, employees built vehicles directly
on the assembly line rather than in controlled environments.  This enabled
them to optimize automation and tooling quickly and efficiently.
    Pacifica also signifies Chrysler Group's commitment to flexible
manufacturing processes.
    "Flexible manufacturing efforts at the Windsor Assembly Plant have helped
reduce capital expenditures for tooling and facilities by about 30 percent,"
said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President-Manufacturing.
"This effort is just one example of how we are strategically implementing
flexibility throughout our plants, while continuing to improve quality and
productivity."
    In addition to Pacifica, the Windsor Assembly Plant produces the Dodge
Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.  It is the first Chrysler Group
facility to produce two completely different vehicles on one assembly line.
Chrysler Group will build approximately 100,000 Chrysler Pacifica units
annually.  Defining a new vehicle segment called "sports tourer," Pacifica has
all-wheel drive like a sport utility vehicle, power and handling like a sedan
and flexible seating and cargo arrangements like a minivan.  With its three
rows of seats, Pacifica can accommodate up to six passengers.  Pacifica is
powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine which produces 250 horsepower.
    Zetsche added that the Chrysler Pacifica also expresses the premium level
of the Chrysler brand.  "There is more to our game plan than building one
great vehicle after another.  We are spending more time building great brands
as well.  Chrysler brand core values are to be expressive, refined, confident
and romantic. Pacifica scores on all counts."
    In preparation for Pacifica production, investment at the Windsor Assembly
Complex totaled $300 million ($460 million Canadian), which included body
shop, tooling, conveyors and paint shop improvements.
    Others participating in today's ceremony included Buzz Hargrove, Canadian
Auto Workers (CAW) President; Ken Lewenza, President of the CAW Local 444;
Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister of International Cooperation for the
Government of Canada; Dwight Duncan, Member of the Provincial Parliament for
Ontario and His Worship Mayor Michael Hurst, of the City of Windsor.