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Stellantis to halt production at Melfi, Italy, car plant in April, union says

MILAN — Carmaker Stellantis will halt production at its plant in Melfi, southern Italy, April 2-12 because of low demand triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, the UILM union said on Monday. Production at the plant, where the world's fourth largest automaker makes Jeep Renegade and Compass models and the Fiat 500X compact SUV, has been repeatedly disrupted due to weak demand and semiconductor supply shortages. The FIM CISL union said last week the firm was considering permanently closing one of its two production lines at the Melfi plant to address excess capacity in Italy. European car registrations fell 23% year on year in the first two months of this year, according to industry data, as protracted coronavirus lockdowns and consequent uncertainty keep impacting spending decisions among families and businesses. UILM's Gianluca Ficco said on Monday the company told unions the latest Melfi production freeze was specifically due to low demand and not a result of the global chip shortage. A spokesman for Stellantis confirmed the plant would be closed in that April 2-12 period. All of Melfi's more than 7,000 workers would be put on a furlough scheme for the period.  

2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice is a Superhero special [w/video]

The Jeep Renegade doesn't fit the usual image for the Batmobile, but it seems Bruce Wayne is willing to use what's around in a pinch. Thanks to the compact crossover's appearance for a scene in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, a new version now offers customers a blacked-out CUV that looks tailor made for the Dark Knight. Buyers can order the Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition in an exclusive shade called Carbon Black or a lighter Granite Crystal with a gloss black roof. To continue the dark look, Jeep fits shiny black trim and 18-inch wheels in the same color, and there's an emblem that blends Superman and Batman's logos. The shadowy appearance continues inside on the cloth seats and gloss trim, but metal diamond accents on the gearshift and door handles offer some contrast. The company bases the Dawn of Justice edition on the Latitude 4x4 trim with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. It comes standard with the Popular Equipment Group, which combines remote start, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. The Dawn of Justice Special Edition retails for $27,245 (after $995 destination) and is available now. Company spokesperson Todd Goyer tells Autoblog that Jeep expects production to be in the "low thousands." You can watch Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne speeding around in a Renegade below in the ad for this superhero-themed version. The film hits theaters on March 25. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: FCA US LAUNCHES ONE-OF-A-KIND CO-BRANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROS. PICTURES' BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Jeep® and Dodge brands debut marketing campaigns as part of promotional partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016 Jeep brand introduces all-new 2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition available now in dealerships across the country Jeep and Dodge brands to launch commercials using hero scenes from the film February 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC and Warner Bros. Pictures are joining forces in a one-of-kind co-branded partnership to mark the premiere of the highly anticipated debut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016).

Dodge and Jeep recalling 895k SUVs for possibility of headliner fires

Dodge and Jeep are announcing recalls of a total of 895,000 Durango and Grand Cherokee models worldwide from the 2011 through 2014 model years. There's a possibility that the wiring in the sun visor can short circuit and cause a fire. It specifically affects vehicles built between January 5, 2010, and December 11, 2013, and there are approximately 651,000 of them in the US, 45,700 in Canada, 23,000 in Mexico and 175,000 outside of North America.
Screws that fasten the sunvisor to the headliner may pierce wires in the visor, if the part has been removed or serviced, potentially causing a fire risk. If the wires short circuit, they could overheat and potentially combust. The automakers report three injuries caused by this defect, and according to the investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "there may be a total of 52 unique fire incidents."
To fix the problem, Dodge and Jeep will inspect the vehicles for suspect wiring, and all of the models, whether damaged or not, will get a new sun visor spacer with a wire guide to stop the possibility of short circuits. According to the automakers' announcement, "this condition is not present in vehicles which have not had the headliner or vanity mirror serviced." They will notify affected owners, and repairs will begin in August.