Chrysler group has initiated fabrication of the revamped 2008 Jeep Liberty at its flexi-model Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP) in Toledo, Ohio. The Liberty is built flanking the Dodge Nitro which began production in August 2006 to go on sales in the US later this summer.
The new Liberty is the latest model built using Chrysler Group’s expanding flexible manufacturing strategy (FMS), allowing it to get new vehicles on sale quickly and efficiently; and assembly plants to build multiple models on one assembly line.
Toledo North was extensively revised to manage the intricacy of building two different models on the line. Investments were made together with multiple plant upgrades, enhanced quality and productivity as well as worker ergonomics.
A year ago, more than 160,000 sq ft were added to the plant floor area to perk up body and assembly developments. The company claimed that the latest Liberty carried an investment 85% less than the prior products.
The vehicle is the second of a two-model flexible manufacturing process at the plant. The retooling was a part of $US 3.9bn spent on Toledo and $2.1bn for the adjacent supplier park where the 2007 Wrangler models are built. Significantly, FMS is being realized product by product and plant by plant across the Chrysler Group.
The Jeep Liberty will receive a complete redesign for the 2008 model year with a boxier and off-road look, like that of the 2007 Dodge Nitro, which is built on the same platform. The 2008 Liberty debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The 2008 Liberty comprises an exclusive iron-block, aluminium-head V6 engine with a towing capacity of 5000 pounds. Transmission choices are both carry-overs: a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
The two models will be offered at rollout: Sports and Limited. The wheel choices come in 16, 17 and 18 inches. Among the more unique features is the Sky Slider, a power roof made from ‘reinforced acrylic cloth’ that opens over the front and rear seats.
The Liberty sits in the size between the Patriot and Grand Cherokee in Jeep’s SUV lineup, but priced between Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. It was the smallest of the 4-door Jeep SUVs up until the 4-door Compass and Patriot arrived for 2007.
[Images: Jeep]
