Fiat Chrysler issues layoff notice for 3,200 Toledo workers

2/14/2017
BY TYREL LINKHORN
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
  • US-Jeep-Recall-Expanded2-14

    Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed it will temporarily lay off 3,200 workers from its Toledo Assembly Complex starting April 7 as the company shifts production of the Jeep Cherokee out of Toledo to make room for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler.

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has confirmed it will temporarily lay off 3,200 workers from its Toledo Assembly Complex starting April 7 as the company shifts production of the Jeep Cherokee out of Toledo to make room for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler.

    The move has been expected for some time, though Fiat Chrysler just recently filed notice of the layoffs with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The company did not say how long the workers will be out, reporting only that the layoff is expected to exceed six months. Company officials have not said when production of the new Wrangler will begin, but The Blade has previously reported normal production is expected to begin in November. 

    All jobs are expected to be preserved. 

    Fiat Chrysler has previously said it will spend $700 million to prepare the plant for the new Wrangler, which is expected to debut sometime this year. 

    Production of the Cherokee will move to an Fiat Chrysler plant in Belvidere, Ill. That plant recently received $350 million in capital investment to prepare it for the Cherokee. Fiat Chrysler said 300 jobs would be created in Illinois as a result of the move. 

    Employees at the Toledo Assembly Complex who build the current-generation Jeep Wrangler will not be affected by this layoff. 

    Including part-time workers, the assembly plant has about 5,000 employees, 4,760 of whom are hourly.