One of the world’s premier grand touring cars, rebranded as the SRT Viper, is on its way back into production. And not only will it bring a whole new level of performance to the storied Viper name, but it also will bring back the Chrysler Group’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, along with some 150 new jobs.
“The next-generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of the SRT Brand and Motorsports for the Chrysler Group. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”
In fact, the Viper was born in Detroit, at the automaker’s New Mack Assembly Plant, in 1992; in 1995, production was moved to the Conner facility, where more than 22,000 cars were built before both the Viper and the plant ceased production in 2010. And while the latter has been idle ever since, the former has kept plenty busy: As just one example, a Viper ACR set a new Nürburgring lap record for production cars just a few months ago.
The 2013 SRT Viper will no doubt take aim at that mark in the mid-term future, but before that happens, the Conner facility is being remade to implement the World Class Manufacturing (WMS) system. This effort will transform the plant into a cutting-edge manufacturing facility that is focused on reducing waste and continuously improving quality and productivity throughout the assembly process. Further, the plant is giving first priority to rehiring past Viper teammates, so the new model will be in capable hands when it starts coming down the line.
You must log in to post a comment.