Canada ‘very important’ to Fiat Chrysler, CEO says

DETROIT Fiat Chrysler Automobiles plans to add production capacity, chief executive Michael Manley said Monday, an expansion that’s in contrast with planned cuts by its two major U.S. rivals.

Manley, who was appointed CEO in July after his late predecessor Sergio Marchionne stepped down for health reasons, wouldn’t reveal where FCA plans to expand production, but said an announcement will be made within weeks. Extra capacity is needed to build two new Jeep models, he said, noting the brand posted record sales last year.

FCA’s growth comes after General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. announced restructurings in the past two months. In November, GM revealed plans to close eight plants worldwide — including the century-old plant in Oshawa, Ont. Last week, Ford announced plans to cut production in Europe.

The cuts at GM, in particular, caused anxiety for the Canadian auto sector, which is grappling with a long-term decline in production as manufacturing shifts to Mexico.

But in a roundtable discussion with reporters on Monday, Manley said FCA’s two Canadian assembly plants remain “very important” to the automaker. Nearly 25 per cent of the cars made in Canada are built by FCA. It manufactures the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and Dodge Grand Caravan at its plant in Windsor, Ont., which opened in 1928 and employs 6,100 workers. FCA employs an additional 3,500 people at its Brampton, Ont. plant, where it makes the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger.

While Manley wouldn’t make any specific announcements on Canada’s future role in FCA’s production mix — it operates 159 plants around the world — he described the made-in-Canada brands as “very important,” particularly the Dodge muscle cars.

“They’ve done well for Dodge this year even though that segment has been under pressure and they’re part of the Dodge DNA,” he said.

As for the Windsor plant, the Pacifica has been important in developing partnerships with other industry players, he said, pointing to the deal with Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo. Last May, the firms announced that Waymo ordered 62,000 minivans for its fleet.

Manley said FCA did its major manufacturing realignment three years ago. “Some of the very large restructuring you have seen, we have no need to do that to that extent,” he said.

Rather than a “big bang,” he said FCA’s regions have mandates for improvements to efficiency.