One of Chrysler Group LLC’s most well-known assembly plants celebrated production of its 5 millionth vehicle Tuesday morning. The vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, rolled off the line at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant at about 2:30 a.m. in Detroit.
DETROIT- Claud Dennis Dent has been through everything the automotive industry has to offer – from the post-WWII boom of the automobile to its darkest days in the late-2000s.
The 81-year-old Chrysler plant worker has spent more than 50 years building vehicles for the Auburn Hills-based automaker, and on Tuesday he was able to celebrate the 5 millionth vehicle produced at Jefferson North Assembly Plant, where he has spent the past 21 years.
“It feels great because I came in as a young kid and it has made a wonderful difference for me,” he told MLive following the debut of a vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. “I am very proud to be a part of it.”
Dent was one of about 50 JNAP employees who have worked 30 or more years at the massive 3 million-square-foot facility to attend a special ceremony this morning celebrating the milestone vehicle.
The silver SUV rolled off the JNAP assembly line at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Chrysler. In addition to the standard Trenton, Mich.-built 3.6-liter Pentastar engine and Kokomo, Ind.-built eight-speed transmission, the vehicle has an 8.4-inch Touch Screen Radio, GPS navigation and other luxury options..
Chrysler is donating the 5 millionth vehicle to the USO, as part of a multi-faceted partnership between the Auburn Hills-based automaker and the military service organization.
Plant manager Jason Ryska said about 400 JNAP employees are military veterans, so “there could be no more appropriate way to mark the milestone than by donating the JNAP-built vehicle to USO so they can continue their mission.”
Robert Ridley, a 49-year worker at Chrysler, smiles for a photo in front of Jefferson North Assembly Plant's 5 millionth vehicle produced, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland in Detroit Monday, Aug. 13. The first vehicle the plant produced was the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)The vehicle will be outfitted with a commemorative plaque indicating its special place in the company’s history and signed by Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.
USO President and CEO Sloan Gibson said the vehicle will be used to help sailors, marines and airmen at numerous USO centers in Northwest Florida.
“Wanting to donate this vehicle to support America’s troops and families speaks volumes about the people here at this plant,” Gibson said. “You make more than just great vehicles here in Detroit, you also really make a real difference and I hop e that’s something that you are all very proud of.”
The plant has been producing vehicles in Detroit since 1992. The facility was built in 1991 and produced the first Jeep Grand Cherokee in January 1992. The first vehicle -- 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee -- was produced on Jan. 14, 1992. It continues to produce the highly-successful Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as the Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle.
Chrysler Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Scott Garberding, who was JNAP plant manager “about 2.7 million vehicles ago,” said the next big step for the plant is to continue making another 5 million vehicles.
“I know this team. It’s committed. It’s resilient and it’s not afraid to make a statement,” he said during the ceremony, which included the 5 millionth vehicle alongside a 1993 Grand Cherokee. “You’re making the best sport utility on the face of the Earth.”
JNAP employs about 4,500 people, including 4,263 hourly United Auto Workers members.
Dennis Prater, who has worked at JNAP since it opened, said although the facility has seen its share of dark times, the future is promising -- particularly for the Grand Cherokee.
"It’s just a great vehicle that we’re very proud of,” Prater, who has worked nearly 30 years for Chrysler, told MLive. "You couldn't ask for a better workforce than this right here.
"We can compete with anybody.”
Other officials at the event included UAW assistant director Virdell king; Jim Morrison, Jeep director and head of product marketing; and Mauro Pino, Chrysler vice president of vehicle assembly operations and head of World Class Manufacturing.