Never one to shy from making a statement, Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters yesterday that the automaker’s Sterling Heights, Michigan, assembly plant could become Chrysler’s biggest plant – even though it was once scheduled for closure in 2012.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Alfa†be produced at Sterling Heights, Marchionne told reporters, insinuating that the plant might build Alfa Romeo vehicles in the future. Fiat and Chrysler are scrambling to assign production facilities to future products; Marchionne wants to build both Alfa Romeo and Chrysler vehicles on both sides of the Atlantic, but no firm decisions have been made.
The Sterling Heights plant in suburban Detroit currently builds Chrysler’s two midsize sedans, the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger. Under former Chrysler owner Cerberus Capital Management, Sterling Heights had been slated to shut down in 2012, but Marchionne fast tracked redesigns for the Chrysler Sebring (now 200) and Dodge Avenger shortly after the automaker emerged from bankruptcy in June of 2009.
For now, Marchionne seems intent on expanding the plant’s capacity.
“The infrastructure is here,” he said at an event marking a $850 investment to produce the refreshed 200 and Avenger that included hiring of a second shift of workers.
