DETROIT – Production of the all-new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs is underway at Chrysler LLC’s Saltillo Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Mexico. The Saltillo Plant — which also produces the Dodge Ram Mega Cab, Dodge Ram Power Wagon, Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 models, and Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab — takes on production of the Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs as part of the Chrysler’s Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS).

To support new commercial vehicle production, Chrysler recently invested an additional $48 million into the plant resulting in a 120,000-square-foot expansion that allows the plant to produce commercial vehicles and accommodate new frame configurations. This follows an additional $210 million investment into the plant for production of the all-new 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab in 2005.

In addition to increased production capacity, the expansion enables the plant to manage the greater complexity of the all-new 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. This includes commercial-grade chassis and suspensions, four wheelbases (144, 168, 192, and 204 inches), and cab-axle lengths (60, 82, 105, and 120 inches), regular cab and Quad Cab configurations, two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models, and three trim lines — ST, SLT, and Laramie.

The Saltillo Assembly Plant has 2,100 employees working on two shifts and is one of five Chrysler production facilities in Mexico.

The first 2008 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs reached Dodge commercial vehicle dealerships this past November.