Magna's first and (still) most important customer is Daimler-Chrysler, for whom several high U.S. content vehicles have been and are being produced. Chrysler models include the Voyager and Grand Voyager (37,587 units in 2005), and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (29,231 units in 2005). New this year are the Chrysler 300c (sedan and station wagon) and the Jeep Commander, two niche market vehicles. All of these automobiles have high U.S. content -- for most models it is between 50 and 60 percent. Mercedes assembles the G model in Graz; this year, the 4-matic production has moved to Germany.
In 2002-2003, Daimler-Chrysler withdrew assembly contracts for two high U.S. content models -- the Mercedes “M” and the PT Cruiser. Magna put the freed capacity to work by starting relationships with BMW and Saab. The company currently produces the Saab 9-3 Cabriolet in small series and the BMW X3, which currently accounts for half of the vehicle production in Austria, with 106,000 units produced in 2005.
In 2008, Chrysler will cease production of the Voyager in Austria; it is not yet known whether another Chrysler model will take its place.
