Chrysler to Keep Four Plants Open All Summer

Chrysler Group LLC says four factories in the U.S. and Mexico will keep operating during the normally scheduled two-week summer shutdown as the company scrambles to meet rising demand for its most popular models.

Chrysler says it will skip the July break at a parts factory in Toledo, Ohio, and three assembly plants: Belvidere, Ill., (Jeep Compass and Patriot crossovers, upcoming Dodge Dart compact); Toluca, Mexico, (Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont crossovers, Fiat 500 city car); and Detroit (Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs). The Detroit action was announced earlier this week.

Chrysler also will suspend production for only one week at its assembly plants in Saltillo, Mexico (Ram pickups) and Sterling Heights, Mich. (Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger and upcoming Lancia Flavia midsize cars).