Download Print Facts & Figures: Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack Site History: 1916: Michigan Stamping Company, first automotive use for the Mack site 1920: Briggs Manufacturing purchases plant 1953: Chrysler Corporation purchases Briggs Manufacturing, acquires Mack property 1975: Chrysler builds 1 million-square-foot expansion next to the “Old Mack” plant 1982: Chrysler closes Old Mack, sells it to city of Detroit for redevelopment 1982-1989: Old Mack sits idle 1990: City of Detroit and Chrysler begin extensive cleanup of Old Mack site 1995: Old Mack plant leveled and entire site cleaned up 1991-1995: Dodge Viper produced at “New Mack” before it was moved to Conner Avenue Assembly plant 1996: Construction of Mack Engine begins; opens in 1998 to produce V-8 engines 2000: Mack Engine II construction completed; produces V-6 engines 2012: Mack Engine II idled 2019: $1.6 billion investment announced to turn Mack Engine Complex into new assembly site for the all-new, three-row Jeep® Grand Cherokee, next-generation Grand Cherokee and electrified models 2021: Production of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L launched in March 2022: Production of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe launched Plant Overview: More than 100 years of manufacturing on Mack site First new assembly plant in the city of Detroit in 30 years Investment: $1.6 billion (announced February 2019) New jobs: 3,850; commitment to putting Detroiters first in the application process 2,100 Detroiters have filled the new positions Construction: Began in Q2 2019; completed in less than two years Total floor space: 3 million square feet Acreage: 266 Operating pattern: Three shifts, five days per week Employment: ~4,100 Total production time: ~36 hours Three main production facilities: Body shop, paint shop and general assembly Logistics: 770 inbound trucks per day; 76 trucks and 95 railcars outbound per day Body Shop: Building: Formerly Mack Engine II; idled in 2012 Floor space: 650,000 square feet Robots: 578 Production time: 2 hours Net Form & Pierce A net form is created for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L to establish the perfect dimensional environment to hang panels, such as the hood, liftgate, doors and fenders, before the body is pierced. Robots measure the gaps and fits to ensure they are symmetrical. There are 26 robots in the cell. Near-line Laser Radar Radar technology is mounted on robots to measure hundreds of preprogrammed surface and alignment points to verify the build process. This 45-minute validation test is performed on a select number of vehicles across all three production shifts and complements the inline measurement system that measures every Jeep Grand Cherokee L coming through the body shop. Paint Shop: Building: All-new facility Floor space: 800,000 square feet (five floors) Robots: 124 Production time: 12 hours Colors: 11 Process: Fully automated; 100% robotic spray application Phosphate E-coat: First layer of corrosion protection Sealer: 28 robots; ~208 feet of sealer applied per car to prevent leaks, corrosion and wind noise Primer: 8 robots; provides smooth base layer and enhances paint durability Base paint coat: 21 robots (10 painting and 11 “opening”) Clear coat: Final protective coating Finesse and polish: Identify and remove any imperfections to ensure smooth paint finish General Assembly: Building: Formerly Mack Engine I; built the Pentastar engine family until December 2019 Floor space: 1,000,000 square feet Stages: Trim, Chassis, Final Trim: Installation of sunroof, wiring harness, major electrical, instrument panel and windshield, rear and half glass Chassis: Engine dress; engine and chassis marriage; body and chassis decking; hose and electrical connections; fluid fill and functionality testing Final: Installation of seats, steering wheel, major components; doors hung; wheels and tires; electrical test Final validation: Aligners, headlight aim, rolls, ADAS (Automated Driver Assist System); BSR test track; inline water test; certification line Buzz, Squeak and Rattle (BSR) Test Track: Completely enclosed Length: 2,000 feet 100% of vehicles tested Total test time: 3 minutes Simulates real-world driving conditions 11 different elements, including pot holes, manhole covers, rumble strips, cobblestones, speed bumps, gravel, Figure 8 BSR Shaker: Additional validation beyond test track Electro servo shaker, first of its kind in North America Test time replicating BSR track: 2 minutes, 40 seconds Additional testing of more aggressive conditions: 3-5 minutes Inline Water Test: 100% of vehicles tested Total test time: 3 minutes 600 nozzles delivering water at 30 psi Additional validation performed in Nine Position Water Test; simulates different terrain (hills and inclines) and weather conditions Detroit Assembly Complex Mack