From AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

Paint shop operator withdraws from Toledo Jeep plant
Haden International hit with financial problems
DETROIT -- The paint shop operator for the new Jeep Wrangler operation in Toledo, Ohio, has withdrawn from the project because of financial problems, the Toledo Blade newspaper reported in its Saturday, Feb. 4, editions.

Haden International Inc. of Auburn Hills, Mich., informed its unions in Toledo about the withdrawal on Friday, Feb. 3, the newspaper reported. The withdrawal was effective immediately.

A spokesman for the Chrysler group confirmed the withdrawal. "We are working on a transition," Ed Saenz told the newspaper.

Rumors about Haden's financial situation began circulating Friday.

Haden has not offered information to news outlets about the Toledo decision. As of Sunday morning no statements were posted on the company's Web site.

Shareholder Dennis Pauley, a former Chrysler executive, was not aware of a problem in Toledo when reached Friday afternoon by Automotive News.

Palladium Equity Partners LLC of New York, which acquired a major stake in Haden in 2001, declined comment in the newspaper story. There was no additional information offered as of Sunday on Palladium's Web site.

United Auto Workers officials told the newspaper that plant executives told them that Haden was unable to meet payroll at the Toledo operation after this past week.

Dan Henneman, UAW chairman at the plant, was quoted as saying that Chrysler officials have assured the union that the development won't delay the start of production of 2007 Wrangler models in July.

DaimlerChrysler's North Toledo operations are slated to build two-door and four-door Wranglers in operations next to lines making the Jeep Liberty and the new Dodge Nitro.

"We have a car to launch and nothing is going to get into our way," Henneman told the newspaper.

Reuters reported that Palladium Equity Partners bought a 75 percent stake in Haden in August 2001 for $40 million, extending the firm's long-term strategy of investing in the challenged auto supplier sector. Analysts at the time told the wire service that the sale price likely reflected depressed industry valuations.

``We are painfully aware of the risks of investing in this sector,'' said Marcos Rodriguez, the managing member of Palladium who spearheaded the Haden deal. ``But traditionally, we have been able to do quite well in it."

It sounds more like it will impact the remaining 2006s being built. Jeeps don't last very long without paint (and they don't sell very well.)

I doubt it will hold up '06's as they have about a 3 month over-supply they've been trying to dump on the dealers.

quote:

Originally posted by TXJEEPER:
From AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

DaimlerChrysler's North Toledo operations are slated to build two-door and four-door Wranglers in operations next to lines making the Jeep Liberty and the new Dodge Nitro.

Am I reading that correectly?

I don't know if you read that "correectly" but you did read it correctly!

lol... I was kinda excited....

Brandon, yes there will be a 4 door model. personally i like the SWB of the tj's that are out now. going 4 door might be a bit to long for my taste. we'll see.

I saw a pic of the 07' four door somewheres and I thought that it looked better than the 2-door for some reason. It could have been the proportional wheelbase or just those darn good looks that every jeep gives off, who knows?

Hey Unicycle Avenger, can you post a link to that pic of the '07 4-door? That's what i'm holding out for...and the hemi that is supposed to be under the hood of it? Does anyone else know if this is gonna happen?

Read an article this week , Haden is back in force with the paint line. There should not be any more issues.... unless of course Haden can't pay thier employees again down the road???

More news on the paintline issue....... Haden up'd and pulled out all together from thier joint venture with DCX with the Wrangler paint line! DCX and some old Haden folks are running the dept themselves to stay afloat!! Haden also screwed all of the subcontractors on the project, WOW!!! There probably won't be any serious delays with the Wrangler because of this but I almost can't believe the events that transpired. Whats weird too is that the competitor to Haden for the job also withdrew from the project (during bidding) without explanation??? I wonder if, behind the scenes, DCX is trying to really screw it's suppliers????

Sorry to bring this up so late but jeeptjlover, here's a link for your 4 door. I didn't see that you posted until today. Which is good because I found a better link for it.
http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/jeep/wrangler_2007/u...ited/debut/index.asp