More than half the vehicles manufactured there will be sold in other markets, North America in particular. The plant is expected to produce a total of 280,000 vehicles a year, with Fiat introducing new work rules in order to increase production from the 178,000 vehicles produced last year.
"This is just a slice of the cake that is the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat. We can't look at each individual slice — what is the benefit here? What is the benefit there?," Chrysler spokesman Gualberto Ranieri said about the benefits of the venture according to The Detroit News.
Last week, Fiat said it would produce a Maserati-brand SUV at the Jefferson North plant in Detroit, using the underpinnings of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This willingness to share platforms and technologies between Chrysler and Fiat is in stark contrast with the reluctance to share parts among Mercedes Benz and Chrysler's mainstream Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands during the DaimlerChrysler merger era.
According to the Italian carmaker, the platform at the heart of the new venture is the most advanced vehicle architecture available. Originally designed as the base for the Alfa Giulietta car, it was further developed by Chrysler engineers. Fiat is also planning to introduce its own mid-sized SUV next year, hoping to compete with the Mini Countryman, BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
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