FCA Details Plant Upgrades for Pacifica Minivan
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles invested $744 million and hired more than 1,200 workers since September of 2014 to build the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan at its Windsor Assembly Plant.

Photo of 2017 Chrysler Pacifica assembly line courtesy of FCA.

Photo of 2017 Chrysler Pacifica assembly line courtesy of FCA.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles invested $744 million and hired more than 1,200 workers since September of 2014 to build the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan at its Windsor Assembly Plant.
The Ontario, Canada, plant has built 14.3 million FCA minivans since 1983, when Chrysler pioneered the category with the first minivan, the Dodge Caravan. The $744 million is part of the $2.6 billion Chrysler invested in the Pacifica.
FCA invested the $744 million to add modest footprint additions to complement the Company’s product quality initiatives, such as the addition of a Component, or Metrology, Center and Complete Technical Vehicle Validation (CTVV), as well as upgrade equipment and processes to produce the all-new Pacifica and the existing minivan on the same line.
The plant also added the first-of-its-kind PULSE transfer system in a North American body shop, first dual arm Laser Radar measuring system in the world in the Component Center, and the first FCA North American application of an Oil Suparator in the paint shop, according to FCA.
FCA US added a 32,000-square-foot Component Center as part of the plant’s body shop. The goal of the Component Center is to allow engineers to efficiently solve problems, identify all sources of build variation, and resolve any fit and finish issues before customer vehicles are built.
The standardized equipment and tools within the Component Centers include traditional Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), as well as inspection equipment such as a Meisterbock gauge, Quality Assurance Fixture (QAF), and blue light laser scanners that allow for 3-D measurement and certification of both plant processes and incoming supplier parts.
More Operations

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility
Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?
Read More →
The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations
This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.
Read More →
How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft
A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.
Read More →
Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap
Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.
Read More →
Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy
Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.
Read More →
AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?
Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.
Read More →
A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027
Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.
Read More →
What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?
EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles
Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.
Read More →
Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands
Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.
Read More →
