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FCA to invest $4.5B for new Detroit plant, expanded production at current facilities

We expected some shifts in manufacturing plans as Fiat Chrysler plans to begin electrifying its Jeep brand, but this news bodes well for Michigan. FCA announced today that it would spend $4.5 billion to expand production in the state, including building a new assembly plant in Detroit and increasing capacity at five other facilities in the state. The plan, which FCA says will create nearly 6,500 new jobs, will help to meet increasing demand for Ram and Jeep products, and to electrify Jeep models. $1.6 billion will be set aside to transform the Mack Avenue Engine Complex into a site to build the next generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as an unspecified, new three-row Jeep model. FCA says this part of the plan will create 3,850 new jobs. FCA is increasing its investment in the Warren Truck plant to $1.5 billion in order to continue building the Ram 1500 Classic, as well as the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, creating 1,400 new jobs. FCA says that the new Ram 1500 Heavy Duty will still be built in Saltillo, Mexico. At FCA's Jefferson North facility, the automaker will invest $900 million to upgrade the plant. This site will continue to build the Dodge Durango, as well help build the next Jeep Grand Cherokee. FCA expects this to create 1,100 new jobs. As Jeep plans to electrify models in its SUV lineup, each of the above plants will produce plug-in hybrid versions of the Jeep models produced there, "with flexibility to build fully battery-electric models in the future," the company said in its announcement. "Three years ago, FCA set a course to grow our profitability based on the strength of the Jeep and Ram brands by realigning our U.S. manufacturing operations," said FCA CEO Mike Manley, referring in part to earlier investments in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. "Today's announcement represents the next step in that strategy," Manley continued. "It allows Jeep to enter two white space segments that offer significant margin opportunities and will enable new electrified Jeep products, including at least four plug-in hybrid vehicles and the flexibility to produce fully battery-electric vehicles." Other investments include $119 million to move production of the 3.0-, 3.2- and 3.6-liter Pentastar engines from Mack I to the Dundee Engine Plant, and $400 million for increased capacity and 80 new jobs at the Sterling and Warren stamping plants. This comes at a time when FCA's U.S.

Burglars target Detroit-area dealership, steal Hellcat from showroom floor

A crew of Detroit car thieves seriously upped their game this week after stealing a Hellcat Challenger straight off the showroom floor. According to CBS Detroit, at around 1:00 am on January 24, a crew of burglars hit the Snethkamp Ram City dealership in Highland Park, MI. In full view of surveillance cameras, the burglars smashed a large glass door that led to the showroom floor and within seconds made off with a $75,000 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. First they pushed the car through the broken door and out on to Woodward where a van was waiting. The van then pushed the car to a waiting tow truck and, just like that, the car and the crooks were gone. "It looks like they had about a minute and 30 seconds to open the door and push the car out, and then we see another car pushing it away," owner Mark Snethkamp told WWJ. "We've got some really good video and I'm shocked that the Highland Park police didn't catch them because they were here very shortly right after them." Snethkamp also told WWJ that they haven't had a break-in at the dealership like this since the 90s. Both the car and the suspect remain at large, and the Detroit Police Department are encouraging anyone with information to call either DPD or the Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT) tip line. VIDEO-2: Not gone in :60 but :90. Thieves still a $75,000 @DodgeHellcat off the showroom floor in #HighlandPark. @WWJ950 @CBSDetroit pic.twitter.com/8FvDkgboJ5 — Vickie Thomas (@VickiethomasWWJ) January 24, 2017 News Source: CBS Detroit Auto News Dodge Coupe Performance Detroit thieves challenger burglary

Angry teen drives Ram pickup into Walmart after argument with girlfriend

Caleb Wilson, a 19-year-old from Eldoarado, Texas, went shopping with his 18-year-old girlfriend at the Walmart in San Angelo, Texas, just after midnight Thursday morning. Wilson and his girlfriend apparently got into an argument that they carried into the parking lot after leaving the store. A female bystander, concerned for the girlfriend, went outside and convinced the girl to go back into the Walmart. Wilson waited in his 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup just outside the store. When the woman and the girlfriend went outside a little later to see if Wilson had left, Wilson hit the gas and drove into the Walmart, trying to run the two women over. Just as police arrived, Wilson turned his truck around and sped out. He crossed the parking lot, colliding with a parked, unoccupied Toyota Camry, and finally came to a stop at a Murphy USA gas station at the edge of the lot. Police noticed fuel leaking from the Ram, and another bystander noticed sparks from something dragging along the asphalt. Police got Wilson out of the truck, after which he briefly resisted arrest, then took Wilson to the hospital for mental health evaluation, where he remains. Police believe he was under the influence of an intoxicant. Incredibly, neither the women nor any of the store's customers were hurt. That wasn't for lack of trying on Wilson's part, though - the teenager rammed his way past the bakery, produce, frozen food and canned veggies sections before finally reaching the cereal aisle. One shopper said she heard screaming and was sure there was a gunman in the store, before realizing it was a man in a vehicle. Wilson stopped two aisles away from where the shopper hid. Another customer said Wilson spent several minutes burning rubber inside the store, as store employees helped customers hide and get out. Security cameras caught the rampage, and San Angelo police estimate he did $500,000 in damage. Wilson has been charged with suspicion of first degree felony criminal mischief and two counts of aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Repair crews worked overnight to fix the damage. After "an employee pep talk," the Walmart opened again at 9:30 am. Related Video: News Source: Go San Angelo Auto News Weird Car News Dodge RAM Truck Videos dodge ram 2500