“Five million vehicles,” booms a voice. That’s how many vehicles the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly had produced by 2013. We’re standing before a titan of American manufacturing. This is the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly. It stands as a testament to Detroit’s automotive legacy.
The Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly first opened in 1991. Chrysler made a major commitment to Detroit. The plant expanded in 1999 and again in 2011. Today the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly spans 3 million square feet. It covers 283 acres.
The plant’s first product was the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Production started in January 1992. The Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly continues to produce it today. The plant sits on the site of the former Chrysler Kercheval Body Plant. It also includes the Hudson Motor Company location. This area was a storage lot for new vehicles in the 1940s.
The Kercheval Plant was imploded. Video of the demolition appeared in a Chrysler commercial. Lee Iacocca used the new plant. It served as evidence of the company’s investment.
The Detroit Assembly Complex includes two plants. These are the only auto assembly plants fully within Detroit’s city limits. General Motors’ Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly is partly in Hamtramck.
In 2008 Chrysler announced a 1.8-billion-dollar investment. This expanded the plant by 285,000 square feet. The upgrade prepared the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly for a new product in 2010. These improvements occurred during corporate turmoil. Daimler-Benz sold its stake to Cerberus Capital Management in 2007. Cerberus and the UAW agreed to lower entry wages.
Cerberus went bankrupt in 2009. The US government provided a bailout. Fiat acquired the company in 2011.
By 2013 the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly produced over 300,000 cars a year. The workforce included 4,600 employees. The plant operated 24 hours a day. Crews worked an alternative work schedule or AWS. This AWS did not require overtime pay.
Each crew worked ten hours a day for four days. “A” crew worked Monday through Thursday. “B” crew worked Wednesday through Saturday. “C” crew worked a mix of days and nights. The 3-2-120 schedule allowed 120 hours of work every three weeks.
August 2013 was a milestone. The Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly produced its 5 millionth vehicle. It was a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. A decal marked the windshield. The vehicle was donated to the USO. A 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×4 is on display. It celebrates this achievement.
President Barack Obama visited the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly in 2010. He mentioned his first new vehicle. It was a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited.
The Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. It also produced the Jeep Commander from 2006 to 2010.
Before 1991 Chrysler operated the Jefferson Avenue Assembly plant. It was nearby from 1925 to 1990. Chalmers and Maxwell automobiles were produced there. Chrysler took over in 1925. They built the Chrysler Six and Imperial. Various models from DeSoto Dodge and Plymouth were assembled here. The plant closed in February 1990. It was razed a year later.
In 2018 the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly earned bronze status. This recognized its implementation of World Class Manufacturing. WCM eliminates waste. It increases productivity. It improves quality and safety.
Today the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly remains a vital part of Detroit. It symbolizes the city’s enduring automotive strength. Its history reflects resilience innovation and commitment to quality.