Chrysler Corp. has again extended the life of its carmaking plant in St. Louis, putting off the scheduled closing until late May 1991.
There are about 2,300 hourly and salaried workers at the factory, which makes Chrysler LeBaron coupe and convertible and Dodge Daytona cars. Chrysler also operates a minivan assembly plant in St. Louis.The life of the St. Louis plant now has been extended twice. Originally, the plant was to close Sept. 21. That date was later pushed back to Nov. 9.
Chrysler said the extension of the St. Louis car plant's life until May 24 gives added production time for its Newark, Del., and Sterling Heights, Mich., plants. The two plants were to get the St. Louis factory's products.
The company also said the extension would allow the Newark factory to increase production of Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim cars for fleet and retail sales. Sterling Heights would have more time for added production of an America series of Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance entry-level cars.