DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.

DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.

DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc., formerly Chrysler Canada Ltd, with its head office in WINDSOR, Ontario, is a major manufacturer and distributor of cars and trucks in Canada. The company manufactures cars and minivans for Canadian, US and export markets.

History

The Chrysler Corporation of Canada was incorporated in 1925 as the successor to Maxwell-Chalmers Motor Company of Canada and a mere 11 days after the Chrysler corporation was founded in the US by Walter P. Chrysler. In 1929 it completed its passenger car assembly plant outside Windsor, which is the nucleus of the present Chrysler Centre complex, and the same year absorbed Dodge Brothers (Canada), car manufacturers, and Graham Brothers (Canada), truck manufacturers. Starting in the 1950s, the company expanded across Canada by establishing regional parts depots and zone offices and purchasing supplier firms to ensure sources of supply.

The company was renamed Chrysler Canada Ltd in 1963. In 1987 Chrysler Canada's corporate parent acquired American Motors Corp, manufacturers of Jeep and Eagle motor vehicles. Chrysler Canada manufactures and distributes Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler and Eagle passenger cars, and Dodge trucks and Jeep utility vehicles, through over 500 dealerships across Canada. In 1998, Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz of Germany to form DaimlerChrysler, which owns 100% of DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.

Operations

The company's largest plant is the Windsor assembly plant located in Windsor, Ontario, which boasts some 5800 employees and 800 robots. A second assembly plant is located in Brampton, Ontario (formerly the Bramalea Assembly Plant). It was acquired as part of the purchase of American Motors Corp in 1987. Etobicoke, Ontario, is home to DaimlerChrysler Canada's casting plant, which employs some 500 people.

For the 2003 fiscal year, DaimlerChrysler Canada reported $14.4 billion in revenues, generated by more than 11 000 employees.

Community Work

Through the DaimlerChrysler Corporation fund, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation supports communities and organizations throughout North America, contributing more than $25 million (US) in grants in 2002. The fund was originally established as the Chrysler Fund in 1953 and focused on the development of communities. It has now expanded its focus to include business environments in which the company is involved, employee development, and employee participation and involvement.

See alsoAUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.