FCA LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Vehicle electrification and autonomous driving are leading a revolutionary change in personal transportation. The Windsor, Ont.-built Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a prime example of how Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is looking to the future while continuing to strengthen its longstanding bonds with Canada.
The plug-in hybrid version of the Pacifica allows you to drive approximately 50 kilometres in emissions-free electric mode — enough for many daily commutes — and will seamlessly switch to gasoline-propulsion mode when needed. Its fuel economy rating of 2.6 Le/100 km (gasoline litres equivalent) in city driving, makes it the industry’s most efficient minivan ever.
The Pacifica Hybrid is playing a key role in deepening FCA’s partnership with Waymo, which is Google’s self-driving car project and the leader in self-driving development. The relationship began in 2016 when FCA and Waymo engineers began collaborating to integrate a self-driving system into the Pacifica Hybrid.
This year, we announced we will provide up to 62,000 additional Pacifica Hybrid minivans for Waymo’s driverless fleet. At the same time, we are in discussions with Waymo to develop highly automated self-driving vehicles for sale to FCA’s customers.
The Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan are built at the Windsor Assembly Plant, which this year won a Canadian Industry Partnership Energy Conservation Leadership Award for its efforts to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Pacifica also took the top spot among all minivans for the second straight year in J.D. Power’s U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. Meanwhile, the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 — each built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario — claimed two of the top three places in the APEAL study’s large-car segment.
The Dodge Challenger, which is also assembled in Brampton, earned an Automotive Loyalty Award in the mid-size sports-car segment for the sixth time. These annual awards by IHS Markit recognize vehicles which retain owners over repeat buying cycles.
In June, FCA unveiled its fiveyear business plan, which includes more than 30 nameplates set to offer customers electrified solutions by 2022 — including all Jeep and premium models.
Plug-in hybrids and full-electrics will be the main focus, alongside more immediate innovations such as mild hybrid technology. An example of the latter is found today with the Ram brand’s new eTorque technology, standard on all Pentastar V-6 powered 2019 Ram 1500 pickups, and an option on trucks equipped with the Hemi V-8.
The advanced eTorque technology, available for the first time on a high-volume pickup, enables start/stop functionality, shortterm torque assist and brake energy regeneration. The result is improved performance, payload, towing capability, drivability and about a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy.
The Ram 1500 is FCA Canada’s best-selling vehicle, and No. 2 overall in the country. Customers also are enthusiastic over Jeep models, with the brand on pace for record sales results in Canada as well as globally.
The Wrangler, all-new for 2018, is the most popular Jeep model in Canada. This redesigned version of the brand’s most storied nameplate continues to offer unsurpassed off-road prowess with updated styling, significantly improved powertrains, and a roomier, more refined interior.
But FCA is about more than just building great vehicles. We are very much committed to Canada and to our local communities. In fact, for 32 consecutive years, FCA Canada employees and retirees have exceeded $1 million in annual contributions to the United Way. Additionally, hundreds of Canadian high school FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics students will benefit not only from team sponsorship via the FCA Foundation this year, but also from FCA employee volunteer mentors and coaches.
In addition to the assembly plants in Windsor and Brampton, FCA Canada operates an aluminum casting plant in Etobicoke, a research and development centre in Windsor, and sales and parts distribution centres throughout the country. In total, our Canadian facilities directly employ approximately 11,000 people and thousands more indirectly.
FCA Canada has approximately 440 dealers nationwide and sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation.