Chrysler’s new hybrid crossover utility vehicle could find a home at the Windsor Assembly Plant.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne said Tuesday, it would depend on a number of factors, including if the environment is competitive and if it's benchmarked on a global scale.
"Potentially, yes. Whenever we decide, and we haven't decided," he said.
And Unifor Local 444 president Dino Chiodo agrees. Chiodo was on hand Tuesday in Auburn Hills, Mich., where Chrysler announced that a new crossover vehicle will be rolled out in 2016, just as the automaker ceases production of the Dodge Grand Caravan.
Well official talks haven't taken place between the union and the automaker, Chiodo's take away from the conference is that the crossover will drive out of the Windsor Assembly Plant.
The loss of the Caravan – which is produced out of Windsor, along with the Chrysler Town and Country minivan – will free up some space and potentially workers. However, Chiodo says these changes won’t affect jobs.
"It doesn't do anything with regards to build at this point. They're taking the Dodge brand out and putting in the Chrysler name plate,” Chiodo says. “From that perspective, I don't see a drop in sales through volume perspective outlook."
Chrysler’s move to eliminate the Dodge Grand Caravan comes as the automaker unifies the minivan under one name plate.
