USA - The FCA US Warren Truck Assembly Plant has been awarded bronze status for its efforts in implementing World Class Manufacturing

• Michigan truck plant becomes 20th North American facility to achieve bronze in World Class Manufacturing methodology
• Nearly 14 million award-winning trucks have rolled off the line since 1938
• Award recognizes progress toward becoming World Class

The FCA US Warren Truck Assembly Plant has been awarded bronze status for its efforts in implementing World Class Manufacturing (WCM). It becomes the 20th North American facility to reach the milestone award and brings to seven the number of plants that have been designated bronze in 2016.

The 78-year-old suburban Detroit truck plant earned bronze after receiving a minimum of 50 points in 10 technical and 10 managerial pillars following a two-day independent audit held on Oct. 24 and 25. 

The plant demonstrated clear WCM know-how and competence through employee-conducted pillar presentations and a review of projects implemented across the shop floor. The designation recognizes the long-term commitment of a workforce to making significant changes that can secure the future of a facility.

“Reaching bronze is a significant achievement as it confirms the workforce’s understanding of the WCM methodology and its dedication to implementing best practices that will make our facilities the best in the world,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President – Manufacturing, FCA North America. “At Warren Truck and across our global manufacturing footprint, our employees now have the tools and resources to eliminate waste by improving processes, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety, while at the same time putting dignity into the workplace.

“Our Warren Truck workforce is to be commended for embracing WCM as a way of life,” said Harlow. “Together with the support and involvement of our UAW partners, we will ensure that the Company meets its long-term business goals and provides a secure future for all employees.”

WCM, first implemented by Fiat in 2006 and introduced to Chrysler Group as part of the alliance between the two companies in June 2009, is a methodology that engages the employees to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants, promoting a strong sense of ownership. Plants awarded for their efforts also have a role in accelerating the implementation of WCM throughout the organization as coaches and mentors.

During an audit, zero to five points are awarded for each of the 10 technical pillars, which include safety, workplace organization, logistics and the environment, and for each of the 10 managerial pillars, such as management commitment, clarity of objectives, allocation of people, motivation of operators and commitment of the organization. A score of 85 would indicate World Class.

Currently, there are three North American plants at a silver status, having been elevated from bronze after receiving a minimum of 60 points during an audit. Silver is awarded to plants that have taken a preventative approach to implementing the WCM methodology throughout the facility. The silver plants are Windsor Assembly (Ont.) awarded in March 2014; Dundee Engine (Mich.) recognized in May 2015; and Toledo Assembly Complex (Ohio) designated in May 2016.

In addition to Warren Truck, the 16 other facilities that currently hold the WCM bronze designation are:

• Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant (Mexico)
• Saltillo South Engine Plant (Mexico)
• Trenton Engine Complex (Mich.)
• Warren Stamping Plant (Mich.)
• Indiana Transmission Plant II (Kokomo, Ind.)
• Kokomo Transmission Plant (Ind.)
• Kokomo Casting Plant (Ind.)
• Toluca Assembly Plant (Mexico)
• Sterling Stamping Plant (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
• Brampton Assembly Plant (Ontario, Canada)
• Tipton Transmission Plant (Ind.)
• Belvidere Assembly Plant (Ill.)
• Saltillo Van (Mexico)
• Indiana Transmission Plant I (Kokomo, Ind.)
• Mack Avenue Engine (Detroit)
• Toledo Machining (Ohio)

USA - RAM launches a new Night Package Special edition 1500 Pickup, straight from the factory with enhanced look.

• 2017 Ram Night package boasts straight-from-the-factory customized look
• Sport look is enhanced by blacked-out exterior details
• Black grille surround, badges and wheels add personality and style

For 2017, Ram will introduce a new special-edition Night package for the 1500 model that gives truck enthusiasts straight-from-the-factory customized looks.

Based on the Sport model, Night adds blacked-out features, including wheels, grille and badging, to pump up the already bold visual presence of the Ram’s monochromatic performance package.

“Much like our incredibly successful Ram Rebel, the Ram 1500 Night fills the growing customer demand for factory-custom trucks,” said Mike Manley, Head of Ram Brand, FCA – Global. 

 

“Truck enthusiasts want vehicles that define their personality and style. The new Ram Night package builds upon the Ram Sport – one of the best looking trucks on the road – and adds black-out details that custom truck enthusiasts revere.”

Ram first adopted the blacked-out badging look with the 2013 Ram 1500 Black Express package.

2017 Ram 1500 Night Package

The 2017 Ram 1500 Night starts with key Sport appearance cues, including body-color fascia and body-color rear bumper with dual chrome exhaust tips, body-color power-folding mirrors and door handles. Also adopted from the Sport are black-bezel bi-functional projector headlamps with LED marker lights and black-bezel tail lamps to match forward lighting.

The Sport interior features standard high-back heated cloth bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment, power-adjustable pedals and automatic temperature control with dual-zone climate control.

The new Ram 1500 Night package adds:

• A black grille surround with black “Hex Perf” pattern inserts
• Bold “RAM” stamped tailgate with blacked-out lettering from Ram 1500 Rebel model
• Black Ram’s head grille badge
• Flat black Ram 1500 door badge
• Flat black 4x4 tailgate badge (if applicable)
• Flat black 5.7L HEMI® door badging (if applicable)
• 20 x 9-in. gloss black aluminum wheels
• P275/60R20 black sidewall all-season tires

The Night package is available on Regular Cab, Quad Cab and Crew Cab 1500 Sport models, in both two- and four-wheel drive, long and short bed lengths and with a choice of 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engines.

A long list of options and upgrades are available on Night editions, including the lighted and lockable RamBox cargo management system with adjustable tie-down cleats and dual-purpose bed extender/divider, Sport performance hood and Black running boards.  

Additional Mopar performance parts options include a cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake. The 1500’s link-coil suspension, which delivers the industry’s best ride and handling, can be enhanced with the addition of an optional Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension System with multiple driver-selectable ride heights and load leveling features.

The Ram 1500 Night is available in Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Brilliant Black, Flame Red and Granite Crystal Metallic.

Production of the 2017 Ram Night begins early fourth quarter 2016 at the Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Ram 1500 Sport

The Ram 1500 Sport blends efficient, durable Pentastar or HEMI engine with monochromatic visual performance cues to make it an appealing alternative for truck enthusiasts.

Ram 1500 Sport is powered by a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 /TorqueFlite 8 combination, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque along with 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway fuel efficiency. For those seeking more power, the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 with variable valve timing and fuel-saver technology is available. Its 395 horsepower/410 lb.-ft. of torque is mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission and delivers 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway.

The Ram 1500 Sport is available in Regular, Quad and Crew Cab models in both two- and four-wheel drive.

The Sport comes standard with heated high-back bucket seats with full center console, heated steering wheel, halogen projector headlamps, body-color grille, front fascia, mirrors and rear bumper and 20-inch painted/polished aluminum wheels with outlined white letter tires.

Ram 1500 features a truckload of pioneering, fuel-saving systems, including first-in-segment technologies such as thermal management system, pulse-width modulation and active aerodynamics, including grille shutters and air suspension.

Ram continues to beat the competition in the most sought-after titles:

• Longest-lasting line of pickups
• Best-in-class fuel economy and longest range with exclusive EcoDiesel – 29 mpg and 754 miles with Ram 1500
• Best-in-class towing capability – 31,210 pounds with Ram 3500
• Best-in-class payload – 7,390 pounds with Ram 3500
• Best-in-class torque – 900 lb.-ft. with Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel 

Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.