TOLEDO, Ohio- Chrysler Group LLC will show off a $500 million investment today in its Toledo Assembly Complex, home of the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler.
The investment, which officials announced in November 2011, is for production of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The investment included a 260,000 square foot expansion of the plant’s body shop and a state-of-the-art, 26,000 square foot Metrology Center, which will help improve vehicle quality by verifying key measurements to ensure accurate fit and finish.
As part of the investment, the Auburn Hills-based automaker also announced it would add a second shift, or about 1,100 jobs, to the 3.9 million-square-foot facility. According to Toledo Assembly Complex manager Zachary Leroux, the second shift for the Cherokee should be online in August or September.
The $500 million investment was part of a promised $1.7 billion Chrysler announced for production of the Cherokee, which replaces the Jeep Liberty. The remainder of the investment was for other Chrysler facilities in the U.S., supplier tooling and other related development costs.
Work on the plant began in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to Chrysler.
Production of the Cherokee started in late-June at the facility. The vehicle is scheduled to arrive in dealerships this quarter, according to Chrysler.
The highly-anticipated midsize sport utility vehicle is an extremely important vehicle for Chrysler. It features anuntraditional Jeep designand debuts numerous new technologies.
“We’re pretty excited about that vehicle,” Mark Allen, head of Jeep Brand design, told MLive last month during a media event at Chrysler’s Chelsea Proving Ground. “I think it’ll do very well for us.”
It will be available in four different models, ranging from the luxury Limited edition to the Trailhawk, which is designed for off-roading enthusiasts. The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price ranges from $22,995 to $29,495 depending on the model and drivetrain options. The lowest model price is about $400 less than the outgoing Jeep Liberty model.
Chrysler is expected to give media a guided tour of the $500 million investment. If you’d like to follow along, Chrysler Communications will be giving a virtual tour through instagram.com/ChryslerPR and Vine videos at twitter.com/Chrysler.
