Global Fastener News

Fewer Fasteners in Chrysler’s Future

Jason Sandefur

Under its product development philosophy of “building better quality, faster,” Chrysler Group is designing new vehicles that require fewer parts, fewer fasteners and fewer assemblies. Just how deep the cuts will be is unclear.
According to the National Post, Chrysler’s ailing product pipeline is healthy again and new product creation under design chief Trevor Creed is on track well into the 2008 model year.
New Chrysler president Tom LaSorda said his top priority is to avoid the “bad habits” that nearly sunk Chrysler in the past. A disciple of lean manufacturing, LaSorda intends to keep a tight lid on costs, which had spun out of control in 2000 when the company was spending $42 billion a year in capital investments.
Following significant restructuring in 2001, capital expenditures have now been slashed to less than $30 billion annually “and it’s going to stay under $30 billion,” LaSorda vowed.
The lean strategy is not limited to auto components. LaSorda told the Post it is “highly unlikely” that future employment will remain at current levels in Chrysler’s 35 plants.
“You need fewer people on the assembly lines. That’s the truth,” LaSorda explained.
Containing costs will come at the expense of new product, LaSorda emphasized. Chrysler has at least 10 new vehicles ready to launch next year, making 2006 the biggest new product year since its turnaround. �2005 FastenerNews.com