By now, you are familiar with the Business Plan that Chrysler presented to analysts, media and employees. The presentation outlines significant challenges that must be met in order to realize the plan’s full potential. Therefore, the company has evaluated the business impact of a company-wide summer break in 2010 and established the following:

Manufacturing facilities and support staff will continue with the summer shutdown currently scheduled for the weeks of July 12 and July 19, 2010, except where volume demands dictate continued production. The specific schedule for each plant will be evaluated in the coming weeks and a future announcement will be made.

All other functions will work regularly scheduled times with vacation planning at the discretion of local management.

Please take this schedule into consideration as you develop your 2010 vacation plans and benefit elections, including any vacation buying or selling, during the current open enrollment period.

Please contact your HR business partner with any specific questions about the summer break planning process for your organization.

Regards, Nancy Rae

(Click 2010-US-calendar for a copy of the 2010 Corporate Calendar or you can go to “Calendars & Schedules” in the “Workplace” section under the “Corporate Information” tab of Dashboard.)

The Women of Color awards recognize the most innovative professionals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for their career accomplishments despite the traditional obstacles faced by women in these fields. The Women of Color Conference is the only multi-cultural celebration held to honor the significant achievements of women in technology. Iyengar received this prestigious diversity award “for making outstanding contributions in her field, and for being a role model and leader for others.”

“The Women of Color award clearly identifies some of the most influential business and community leaders in the U.S.,” Paolo Ferrero, Senior Vice President—Powertrain, said. “Chrysler Group is proud that Women of Color magazine and Career Communications Group recognize Jay’s extraordinary accomplishments as an engineer and a corporate leader.”

Iyengar is responsible for developing and applying electrified propulsion technology to all Chrysler Group vehicle applications. In this role, she has responsibility for electrified systems development including controls, calibration, electrical system architecture, diagnostics, power electronics, high voltage batteries and battery management systems, e-motors and motor controls.  Her organization also has responsibility for advanced technology development of next generation plug-in type systems and vehicles. 

Iyengar and her family are active in the community through various philanthropic and community activities. In particular, Iyengar volunteers her time at the Accounting Aid Society where she provides tax preparation and counseling assistance to low income families, seniors and other communities in need around the Detroit area.

“Jay joins a long list of accomplished women leaders at Chrysler Group who’ve received this important recognition,” Nancy Rae, Executive Vice Preident—Human Resources, said. “These women are terrific role models for all of us, and great examples of why diversity is so important to the future of the Chrysler Group and to the future of our country.”

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized in this way along with such outstanding and accomplished women leaders,” Iyengar said. “I want to thank my family and friends for their love and support, and those who have mentored me throughout my career, for their wisdom and guidance. I learn from the talented engineers around me and Chrysler Group’s leadership has provided a very supportive environment for professional growth.”

The Chrysler Group continues to be a leader in promoting diversity throughout its enterprise.  The company was recently named one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother magazine, the 12th time Chrysler Group has achieved this prestigious benchmark, and the second consecutive year the company was the only automaker to be included on the list. 

The company recently was recognized for the fourth time by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of 305 leading corporations to score a perfect 100 percent on the foundation’s 2010 Corporate Equality Index, which rates corporations annually based on their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace policies and benefits. In addition, Chrysler Group recently was named to Hispanic Business magazine’s Diversity Elite 60, for implementing strategies to reach more hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and hispanic-owned suppliers.

Most recently, the Chrysler Group was named the “Company of the Year” for 2009 by the Canadian Aboriginal amd Minority Supplier Council for its “extraordinary commitment to supply chain diversity and the development of Canadian Aboriginal and minority-owned businesses.”

Dear Colleague:

As previously communicated, the Company has been exploring financially viable approaches to continue the Employee Lease Car Program.  In recognition of the benefits of this program to you as an employee, and the Company from a quality and durability standpoint, we are pleased to announce the continuation of the Employee Lease Car Program for active employees.  The program will be structured as follows:

• All salary non-bargaining unit employees are eligible to lease two (2) vehicles under the
Employee Lease Program (that can be used by the employee or an eligible family member).

 The Employee Lease vehicles will be offered at 1.9% for a term of two (2) years.

 Eligible drivers remain to be the employee, spouse/same sex domestic partner and dependent children up to the age 25.

• Ordering will begin November 3rd, and roll out over the next six months.  Employees will be assigned an ordering period that coincides with their current lease expiration.  A separate communication will be sent directly to the employee advising of their assigned period.  All required documentation must be received and approved prior to ordering.

 New or returning participants may order during any ordering phase provided that all required documentation is submitted and approved.  However, the numbers of new orders per month will be limited, as determined by management.

Due to financial limitations on the size of the program, the Company had to make the difficult decision to continue with the phase out of the retiree lease program.

Please contact Company Car Programs at 1-800-481-6736 with any questions.

Peter M. Grady
Vice President, Network Development and Fleet

Nancy A. Rae
Executive Vice President, Human Resources

Jonathan Urban (right) receives his award from Brian Vautaw, chairman of the AIAG board of directors.

Bryan Book (right) receives his award from Brian Vautaw, chairman of the AIAG board of directors.

A Chrysler Group LLC employee and contract employee last week took home Outstanding Achievement Awards from the Automotive Industry Action Group for helping implement new industrywide standards in their fields.

Bryan Book II, Manager—Supplier Quality Processes and Training, from the Supply Quality group, and Jonathan Urban, an employee of CEVA Logistics who works in the Chrysler Group’s Logistics organization, received the recognition. The two men received their award during a ceremony on Oct. 8 at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich. The event celebrated the achievements of the AIAG and the individuals and companies that have made industry time- and cost-saving solutions possible.

The AIAG was founded in 1982 by officials from Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. to provide a forum where members could cooperate to develop and promote solutions that enhance the prosperity of the automotive industry. The AIAG’s focus is to continuously improve business processes and practices involving trading partners throughout the supply chain.

The Outstanding Achievement Award is a special recognition given to AIAG volunteers who make a distinguished and recognizable effort in several areas during a calendar year. This year’s event honored 11 individuals from the Chrysler Group, General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and several suppliers.

Book was honored for his leadership as chairman of a work group that developed and released the first update to an advanced product quality planning and control plan reference manual. Book acted as a liaison between Chrysler, GM and Ford Motor. He was able to gain consensus on the guidelines that ensured advanced product quality planning is implemented in accordance with the requirements of the customer.

Urban played a key role in expanding the AIAG’s supply chain reach to address delivery of finished vehicles from the assembly plant to the dealership. He was the chairman of a group that developed a global standard of a five-digit, finished-vehicle damage code to address damage areas, types and severity.

A total of 29 projects worldwide were submitted this year, the 30th year the awards have been issued. The entries were judged on the basis of their contribution to environmental stewardship, cost savings and innovation.

All the projects submitted resulted in a combined cost savings of $57 million and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 278,000 tons per year, said Stephen Bartoli, Head of Engineering Planning.

“Celebrating the outstanding achievements of project teams reminds us that being green does not conflict with being a successful company,” Bartoli said. “In fact, more and more it is a necessary attribute.”

This year’s winners were:

• Production Related Environmental Protection—Trenton (Mich.) South Engine Plant environmental team. Through the reuse of a brownfield site and incorporation of environmentally conscious designs, including 47 percent recycled material; the facility will be zero-waste-to-landfill, with a 39 percent reduction in energy use and savings of $1.26 million annually.

• Product Related Environmental Protection—Dealer Dedicated Delivery System Redesign. By redesigning the company’s parts delivery system, the team improved response time and customer satisfaction, and eliminated 4.6 million miles of driving, saving 722,000 gallons of fuel, 8,000 tons of emissions and 1,560 gallons of motor oil and 1,344 tractor trailer tires per year. Total savings are $7.4 million.

• Extraordinary Efforts for the Environment—Saltillo (Mexico) Complex, Developing an Environmental Way Of Life. The team made environmental awareness a way of life among employees, their families and the local communities through education and special projects. The team’s participation contributed to significant reductions in energy consumption, water use and waste generation at the complex.

• Dealership Environmental Initiatives—Frank C. Videon Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® in New Town Square, Pa. The first dealership to be honored with a Chrysler Environmental Leadership Award because the team’s strong commitment to green initiatives resulted in 20 percent less energy use in a facility that is 2.5 times larger than the previous building.

  

Frank C. Videon (center) of Videon Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep®

“Today’s Detroit Free Press contained an article speculating that the Chrysler Group is preparing to rehire an unspecified number of salaried workers. 

At this time, no decisions have been made regarding an increase in salaried staffing levels.  Chrysler Group continually evaluates its human resource needs and objectives with the goal of assuring that its work force is well-qualified and effective.  In order to achieve that end, Chrysler Group applies Human Resource practices that will allow it to identify and retain individuals who have the knowledge, skills and abilities that will meet the company’s current and future operating needs.”

In this position, Ferrero is directly responsible for all powertrain activities for Chrysler Group with a focus on technology sharing with the Fiat Powertrain Technologies organization. Additionally, he will provide indirect oversight of powertrain manufacturing, testing, quality and international operations while also ensuring strong integration and alignment with the Chrysler Group vehicle engineering organization and other supporting functions.

Ferrero joins the Chrysler Group from Fiat Powertrain Technologies where he gained extensive experience in product development and powertrain. His most recent position was Vice President—Product Engineering.

Ferrero holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Turin.

Employees at the Chrysler Technology Center in Auburn Hills recently participated in a toy/book drive for children being treated for serious illness at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.  The toy drive was conducted at Chrysler’s headquarters facility from Aug. 31-Sept. 11.

Chrysler employees demonstrated their compassion to children in need of comfort by donating nearly 500 toys and books during the course of the two-week drive.  The overwhelming response of generous employees allowed the Civic and Community Relations department to also provide toy donations to patients at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital located in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The patients and families at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital thank all who donated.

Supplier Training Week (STW)

September 21 – 23, 2009

Monday through Wednesday

During STW, Chrysler offers more than 38 classes or 70 sessions of specific training for its suppliers. Suppliers can take multiple classes and make just one trip to the Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Courses specifically designed for “New” suppliers are available. Suppliers pay a one-time $50 registration fee and can register for as many classes as needed – most are FREE of CHARGE.

Registration Process:

Suppliers can register on-line at: http://Chrysler.Covisint.com

Log-on then click: Chrysler logo / Reference /Supplier Education & Training

OR

Access directly through our website at: http://www.chryslertraining.com

Company staff and trainers look forward to having the opportunity to share their knowledge with suppliers. The official registration cut-off date is Friday September 11, 2009 – so hurry – classes fill up quickly!