CLOSE Mike Manley talked at the North American International Auto Show about adding production capacity and why FCA will not restructure like Ford and GM. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press Fiat Chrysler Automobiles does not plan the kind of restructuring expected to cut thousands of jobs at Ford and General Motors. Instead, the automaker intends to add… Continue reading FCA will add capacity, has no big plans to restructure, CEO says – Detroit Free Press
Tag: FCA
Details on FCA's new plant coming soon
Details on FCA's new plant coming soonDetroit — Fiat Chrysler needs to add capacity to build new Jeeps, CEO Mike Manley said at the Detroit auto show Monday. The automaker is expected this month to announce details about where it will add that capacity.
The Detroit News reported in December that Fiat Chrysler had plans to convert the idled Mack Avenue Engine II plant in Detroit into an assembly plant as part of the automaker's plans to add two new three-row Jeep SUVs to its lineup.
Manley did not say Monday where the automaker would add capacity to build the vehicles. He said that two new three-row SUVs — expected to be a full-size a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a large SUV likely the Wagoneer — will “require additional (plant) capacity and expanded capacity.”
It's expected Mack II will build one of the SUVs, likely the Grand Cherokee.
“I’m going to be making an announcement probably in the next two weeks of exactly where those vehicles are going to go, the levels of investment and the jobs they will generate,” Manley said.
Sources told The Detroit News in December that a revived Mack II building a three-row Grand Cherokee would generate 400 jobs. The automaker would shuffle its workforce to fill the remaining jobs needed to run a new product line at that plant.
The Mack Avenue Engine II, which has been idled since 2012, is expected to be used to build the Grand Cherokee for model year 2021, multiple sources familiar with the plans told The News in December. The move could add as many as 400 new auto jobs in the city.
The renovated Mack II facility would be the first new auto assembly line to open in Detroit in 27 years, potentially cushioning the blow of General Motors Co.'s plans to stop production of four sedans at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant by June 1.
Fiat Chrysler needs to invest in a new assembly line to build the profitable SUVs that will raise cash to fund that future. Fiat Chrysler’s plant capacity utilization in November hit 92 percent in North America.
FCA's plans are the latest move by automakers before they begin to renegotiate their contracts with the United Auto Workers.
ithibodeau@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Ian_Thibodeau
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Ultra Exclusive Hypercar Battle: Lykan Hypersport Vs Zenvo TS1 GT – Carscoops
If you actually have enough money so as to look at something like a modern Ferrari or Lamborghini but find them all too common, then you probably have your sights set on owning something that’s a lot more exclusive. Welcome to the world of boutique supercar makers, with residents such as Apollo, Pagani, Rimac and… Continue reading Ultra Exclusive Hypercar Battle: Lykan Hypersport Vs Zenvo TS1 GT – Carscoops
Ford debuts 700-horsepower ‘street-legal’ Mustang Shelby GT500
Ford unveils the all-new Shelby GT500, its most powerful street-legal car in history
7 Hours Ago | 01:03
Ford's new Mustang GT Shelby 500 is a 700-horsepower monster Ford says is the quickest street-legal Mustang in history.
The latest iteration of Ford's Shelby GT variant of the iconic Mustang pony car inherits the name of racer and engineer Carroll Shelby, who worked with Ford to design the first GT500 in 1967 — a car that now is considered a legend among American muscle cars.
The new version, which debuted at the Detroit auto show on Monday, goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the “mid-3 second” range, Ford said. It borrows technology from Ford's GT super car and the race-tuned Mustang GT4. It still has a lot of the creature comforts of a conventional car though, including a B&O sound system, power adjustable seats with optional suede fabric and SiriusXM radio. This is no family car, however. There is no rear seat, to reduce weight in the vehicle.
Ford Executive Vice President Jim Farley said he thought Carroll Shelby, who died in 2012, would love this Mustang more than any other.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Members of the media look over the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 after it was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 14, 2019.
The car is a big statement by a company that less than a year ago said it plans to all but stop selling cars in North America entirely over the next few years. If Ford follows through on those plans, the Mustang would be the last traditional passenger car in its lineup.
The GT500's massive 700-horsepower engine is perhaps meant to rival that of the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which has created lots of buzz for Dodge and Fiat Chrysler overall.
The GT500 is not meant to be a high-volume car, but it could prove quite valuable as a “halo” vehicle meant to draw buzz around the brand, said IHS Markit analyst Stephanie Brinley.
“The GT500 is essentially a street-to-track car for the Mustang, not entirely unlike the Challenger and Charger Hellcats,” she said. “So it is low volume, but big excitement. … It is clearly important to get people excited about your brand and about your vehicles in general, whether they buy a utility vehicle, a sedan, or a sports car. It does help to make a statement, as long as it fits with the brand.”
Source: Ford
2020 Mustang Shelby GT500
Fiat Chrysler plans to expand factory capacity to build new Jeep models
Mike Blake | Reuters
The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is introduced during a Jeep press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, California, November 28, 2018.
Fiat Chrysler plans to add more factory capacity over the next few years to support building two new Jeep models, including a return of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, CEO Mike Manley told CNBC.
Manley would not say how many jobs Fiat Chrysler might add or give a time frame for when those new assembly lines would be up and running.
“Those plans will have to go in place in the near future,” Manley said as the Detroit auto show kicks off Monday.
Questions? Comments? BehindTheWheel@cnbc.com.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Ford Focus RS, Zenvo ST1, Audi R8 LMS: Car News Headlines – Motor Authority
Follow Viknesh Zenvo ST1 The Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] all-new Focus RS has made its international debut this week at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Here, we learned of the car’s new Drive Modes system and Launch Control function. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel now. Danish supercar startup Zenvo has used the… Continue reading Ford Focus RS, Zenvo ST1, Audi R8 LMS: Car News Headlines – Motor Authority
RAM Trucks wants a bigger piece of hot heavy-duty trucks with new Detroit debut
Source: Ram
2019 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Limited Crew Cab Dually
RAM Trucks has stolen the limelight with its 1500 pickup truck in the eyes of many auto industry watchers. Now it wants to spread a bit of that magic out to larger work pickups.
Fiat Chrysler released an updated lineup of heavy-duty pickups at the Detroit auto show on Monday.
With the new models, RAM is aiming at truck buyers who want to use the truck for work, but also want nice interiors and features that make the truck usable as a family or recreational vehicle on the weekend.
While the trucks have serious towing capability and payload capacity, RAM is also outfitting them with features designed to make the ride as pleasant as possible for drivers. Cabins are equipped with active noise cancellation, anti-vibration devices and acoustic glass.
The truck maker also says it has exclusive rear air suspension that has a special driver-activated Bed Lowering mode, a normal mode for driving with a payload in the bed and a Trailer-Tow Mode.
The introduction of the new vehicles is another shot fired in the ongoing battle between the three big American truck makers.
U.S. truck sales, especially full-size truck sales are dominated by the three American manufacturers: Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. RAM has historically come in third place in sales, behind Ford and GM.
But bold design choices and upscale, feature-rich interiors have earned RAM's light duty full-size line, the RAM 1500, has praise from critics and a jump in sales.
“It's all part of the truck wars,” said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst for Autotrader, a website that connects car buyers and sellers.
Commercial and work-focused trucks and vans were extremely good in 2018, she said. Sales defied Autotrader forecasts by rising instead of falling, in large part because tax reform provided a benefit for businesses to buy vehicles.
“If you looked at the commercial van segment, that was up,” she said. “Big trucks were up. Ford has done very well with its Super Duty trucks. So Ram is looking at doing just as well. And GM is coming out with a new Silverado medium duty and heavy duty this year. So it's the war of the big trucks this year.”
Seamless EV Charging Is Catching On In North America
NORTH AMERICAN CHARGING NETWORKS MOVE TO ENABLE SEAMLESS ROAMING FOR EV CHARGING Electric vehicles are often compared to mobile phones. Among other similarities, both devices depend on a stack of interdependent hardware, software and services, and both need to be plugged in and charged after use, normally in the evening. *This article comes to us courtesy of EVANNEX (which… Continue reading Seamless EV Charging Is Catching On In North America
Five top priorities for new Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley – Automotive News
New Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Mike Manley inherits a much cleaner “house,” as his predecessor, Sergio Marchionne, referred to the company, but it’s far from spotless. Marchionne, replaced Saturday because of serious illness, defied the odds by successfully combining Italian automaker Fiat with Chrysler Group to form the world’s seventh-largest automaker. He cleaned up the… Continue reading Five top priorities for new Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley – Automotive News
Jeep and Ram diesels, Cadillac electrics, MyChevy updates, Audi chargers: Today’s Car News
Sketch for proposed Volkswagen electric off-road SUV
GM announced a major restructuring that will result in more electric cars, with Cadillac as its focus. Fiat Chrysler will fix its dirty Ram pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesels. And Audi has partnered with Amazon to get home chargers installed for its e-tron customers. All this and more on Green Car Reports.
In a settlement reminiscent of Volkswagen's, owners of EcoDiesel Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram pickups will be offered cash along with a free software update to bring their vehicles into compliance with emissions laws.
GM made a major announcement that it plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup and convert Cadillac to an electric brand.
In the meantime, the company is trying to make life easier for Chevy Bolt EV owners by bringing live information on charger availability from ChargePoint, EVgo, and Greenlots to the MyChevy app.
And Audi plans to have Amazon sell and coordinate installation of chargers for its line of e-tron electric vehicles.
Volkswagen poached an engineer from Apple's Titan self-driving-car effort to head its own commercial self-driving and mobility services programs.
Finally, VW may be planning to build an electric off-road SUV as part of its new ID lineup of electric vehicles.
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