The Motor City gave birth to hundreds of different cars, including Chrysler 200 – one of its youngest sons manufactured and marketed by Chrysler since 2010. Well, that’s only a half-truth. Is the car really originate from Detroit?
Few Facts about Chrysler 200
Currently, the model is in its second generation. The first generation was in production from 2010 to 2014. The production of the second-generation Chrysler 200 began in May 2014.
The Chrysler 200 debuted as a concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. While the concept was based on the luxury Chrysler 300, the production model was a restyled and re-engineered version of the third generation Chrysler Sebring that began production in 2006. This smart move by Chrysler let its four-door mid-size car stand in one line with the flagship Chrysler 300 as its younger and cheaper brother despite the fact that they practically have nothing in common (except the brand, of course).
Between 2012 and 2014, the Chrysler 200 Convertible was marketed in mainland Europe under the Lancia marque.
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP)
The Chrysler 200 is built at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Sterling Heights, Michigan, one of Detroit’s core suburbs. So, it is only a half-truth, if you say that the car originates from The Motor City itself. The assembly line is located 16 miles (26 km) from the historical core of the American automotive industry.
In 2010, the production of the Chrysler 200 literally saved the 5 million-square-foot facility, which employs 3,260 workers and contains 1,214 state-of-the-art robots now. Chrysler says it sunk almost $1 billion in the plant that was on the verge of closing. The all-new facilities include a 1 million-square-foot Body Shop and a 1 million-square-foot Paint Shop spread over three floors.
The Sterling Heights Assembly isn’t open for public tours, but you can stroll through the facility remotely using an interface similar to Google Street View. At certain points, you will have the opportunity to watch video tours of certain construction processes, like body-building, painting, and quality control.
Discontinuation
In January 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. CEO Sergio Marchionne outlined changes to the company’s strategy. Among other things, he told investors that the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart models will soon be discontinued. The company will direct the exempt manufacturing power to built more Jeeps and Rams because “market shift from cars to trucks and UVs now seen as permanent shift in demand.”
2016 Chrysler 200
In all likelihood, 2016 will be the last model year for Chrysler 200. The price for the brand new 2016 Chrysler 200 LX starts from $21,995 MSRP. Other available offers include 2016 Chrysler 200 Limited ($23,950 MSRP), 2016 Chrysler 200S ($25,170 MSRP), and 2016 Chrysler 200C ($26,625 MSRP). The last one is the most luxurious. Despite its designation, it has nothing in common with the Chrysler 200C shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.