July 15, 2016—Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced Thursday that it will invest more than $1 billion in its assembly plants in Illinois and Ohio in preparation for the growth of the Jeep brand. The investment will create around 1,000 new jobs.
The Illinois plant will receive an investment of $350 million to produce the Jeep Cherokee, which is being moved from its current production location in Ohio. Production of the Dodge Dart, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot will end at the Illinois plant by the end of 2016. Approximately 300 jobs will be added there.
FCA will invest $700 million in the Ohio plant to retool it for next-generation Jeep Wrangler production. Approximately 700 jobs will be created.