Toledo hurries incentives to keep Jeep's iconic SUV

1437 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Neanderthal, Feb 17, 2015

Mentat Bashar

Discussion Starter · Feb 16, 2015

Autonews.com
Larry P. Vellequette
February 16, 2015

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is studying a proposal from Toledo officials to roughly double the size of its cobbled-together Jeep Wrangler line here to about 3 million square feet.

City leaders presented an eight- to nine-figure offer late last month despite FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne's word that -- even if he did have to move Wrangler production -- none of the 1,700 people making the vehicle now would lose their jobs.

The proposal would, in theory, raise the annual Wrangler production capacity to an estimated 350,000 -- almost identical to the unibody Jeep Cherokee built on another line at FCA's Toledo Assembly Complex. Last year, the plant built 235,904 Wranglers.

More here: Toledo hurries incentives to keep Jeep's iconic SUV

Along with this bit of good news:

DETROIT -- The next-generation Jeep Wrangler will keep the floating solid axles considered key to the off-roader's ability to traverse nearly any terrain, Automotive News has learned.

The next-generation Wrangler, due in 2017, will get some updates to its suspension to improve ride and fuel economy. However, the basic design that allows the axles to maintain traction at all four wheels while traversing the most difficult terrain will remain.

News that the Wrangler will keep its basic suspension design will come as a huge relief to Jeep loyalists who had worried the body-on-frame SUV would move to an independent front and/or rear suspension to reduce the vehicle's weight.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles officials declined comment.

More here at Autonews.com: Next-gen Wrangler will keep solid axles

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Mentat Bashar

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 16, 2015

Looks like I exceeded the number of attempts to view the article. Apologies for that.

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Yup, Toledo's been sweating it and Sergio's words don't seem encouraging, at least for retaining Wrangler production.

I wonder what effect the recent sudden death of Toledo mayor Michael Collins will have on all this.

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LetsRace

· #4 · Feb 16, 2015

This is exactly what Marchione wants.

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Mentat Bashar

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 16, 2015

Neanderthal said:
Yup, Toledo's been sweating it and Sergio's words don't seem encouraging, at least for retaining Wrangler production.

I wonder what effect the recent sudden death of Toledo mayor Michael Collins will have on all this.

There has been some suggestion that the new facility be named after him.

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Mentat Bashar

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 16, 2015

LetsRace said:
This is exactly what Marchione wants.

Yeah, I was hoping that Toledo would call his bluff but I certainly can't blame them for wanting to keep the Wrangler there.

Now that it "seems" that solid axles are staying I'm looking forward to the new Wrangler again and, hopefully, a truck variant.

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JimmyDiablo

· #7 · Feb 16, 2015

I can't believe the city is going to foot the bill for the plant.

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Neanderthal

· #8 · Feb 17, 2015

Mentat Bashar said:
There has been some suggestion that the new facility be named after him.

Now that's a bet I can make. JC, the wailing and gnashing of teeth went on for a week or two. I thought the Pope had died.

A friend who's been in the area said it's probably because Collins was actually a pretty good mayor, unlike the last 30 years who've been tools.

Mentat Bashar said:
Yeah, I was hoping that Toledo would call his bluff but I certainly can't blame them for wanting to keep the Wrangler there.

Now that it "seems" that solid axles are staying I'm looking forward to the new Wrangler again and, hopefully, a truck variant.

Sergio laid it out. "You buy the land and build the building and we've got a deal! That's all it takes!" Or words to that effect.

Wow. Nice terms.

JimmyDiablo said:
I can't believe the city is going to foot the bill for the plant.

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