Several Stellantis plants producing popular Jeep SUVs will be running seven days per week in the coming months.
The company said the moves would affect its Warren Truck, Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson — formerly known as Jefferson North — and Kokomo (Indiana) Engine plants.
“Due to high demand for the Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, Stellantis has put the Warren Truck, Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson and Kokomo Engine plants on critical plant status. The plants may run up to seven days a week for the next three months to increase sales of these popular models,” the company said in a statement sent by spokeswoman Ann Marie Fortunate.
The Free Press reached out to UAW officials connected to all three plants, seeking comment.
The company was also asked about concerns expressed to the Free Press about drinking water availability during shifts at Warren Truck in the midst of hotter temperatures.
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Here’s how the company responded:
“The health and safety of our employees is our top priority. During the summer months, the company takes extra precautions including providing water and electrolyte replacement fluids, fans for workstations and additional precautionary measures for individuals with heightened susceptibility to heat. We will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as necessary.”
The critical status operations come even as the company institutes its traditional summer shutdown at some plants — including Warren Truck, which is scheduled for a shutdown later this summer. Fortunate said the schedule allows for a “one-week summer shutdown to maintain optimal inventory levels or undergo maintenance and other facility upgrades” and “powertrain, stamping and component plants will align work patterns to support assembly production schedules.”
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Here’s the shutdown schedule:
Week of July 3:
∎ Brampton Assembly Plant (Ontario)∎ Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant (Mexico)
Week of Aug. 21:
∎ Warren Truck Assembly (Michigan)∎ Windsor Assembly Plant (Ontario)
Fortunate said Detroit Assembly Complex-Mack and Jefferson, as well as the Toledo Assembly Complex were on summer shutdown last week.
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.