1993 Jeep Cherokee Country - Green on 2040-cars

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FCA to idle Belvidere Jeep plant again for a week in February

Bloomberg reports that Fiat Chrysler will shut down the Belvidere, Ill., plant that assembles the Jeep Cherokee for a week this month, starting February 17. FCA has been tweaking the plant's headcount and production schedule for a while now, usually downward. The automaker laid off 1,371 workers last February and fired 32 more in May, the same month it eliminated the third production shift. In August, the automaker shut down the plant for one week, then did so again for two weeks last month. As in August and January, FCA explained this month's idling by saying it needs to get production in alignment with demand. Cherokee sales declined 20% in the U.S. last year, helping to account for Jeep's overall 5% domestic drop in 2019. On top of the shutdown, FCA is offering buyouts to certain plant workers among the 3,600 hourly and 300 salaried personnel. The choices are either taking a "separation package" that comes with a $60,000 lump sum payment, or accepting voluntary termination that pays a lump sum based on seniority. Employees that choose a buyout can't return to Chrysler, becoming no longer "eligible for recall, rehire or reemployment." Belvidere personnel have until March 11 to make their decisions. Bloomberg says the aim is to reduce the number of workers with more seniority and higher pay grades; a company spokesperson said the move would "create opportunities for those employees still on layoff," who were lesser-paid. Around 900 of those laid-off workers remain on standby for reassignment to another plant. Analysts predict a soft year for car sales, so FCA might not be the only automaker pruning the rolls. Early estimates have come in below 17 million, and if that comes true, 2020 will be the slowest year since 2014, when 16,531,070 units left lots. The new contract between FCA and the UAW made provisions for Belvidere, which has tempered talk of a total shutdown.The automaker will invest $55 million for "fresh models/features off of the current (KL) platform" that underpins the Cherokee as well as the Chinese-market Jeep Grand Commander (it was previously used for the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200). Outside of that, some observers think the carmaker could be planning a three-row Chrysler crossover based on the KL platform, akin to the Grand Commander, for the United States. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2018 Jeep Wrangler four-cylinder could be incredibly potent

Update: We hear the 368-hp rating in the NHTSA documents isn't accurate. The story has been modified to reflect that. Update 2: The document has been removed from NHTSA's website. We already knew that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler would offer two engines this time around, a V6 and a new turbocharged four-cylinder. Documentation from FCA to NHTSA that JL Wrangler Forums discovered suggests the V6 will become the entry-level engine with the same 285 horsepower as the current one, while the turbo 2.0-liter inline-four takes the top spot with 368 horsepower. However, we're now hearing that figure isn't accurate. That's an all-around impressive four-cylinder – and obviously likely too good to be true. Besides making about 80 more horsepower than its bigger V6 cousin, it would also be the second most powerful four-cylinder available in the United States. It would only be 7 horsepower shy of the current four-pot power champ, the Mercedes-Benz CLA45, which makes 375 horsepower. It's also 18 horsepower ahead of the next closest engine, the turbo four in the Focus RS that makes 350 horsepower. If you do decide to pick up a 2018 Wrangler with the four-cylinder, you'll have to settle for an automatic transmission. Only the V6 will be available with both an automatic and manual transmission. Both engines should be available at launch, which we expect to come shortly after an expected reveal at the Los Angeles auto show. The FCA documentation also suggests that the four-door model will be the first body style available, with the two-door arriving slightly later. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeep Wrangler Spy Shots View 28 Photos News Source: JL Wrangler Forums / FCAImage Credit: KGP Photography Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles jeep wrangler unlimited

Put a mustache on your Jeep this Movember for charity

Move over Lyft drivers, Jeep is getting in on the automotive mustache game. And it's for a good cause. The company announced that for the month of November, it will sell giant, bushy, black mustaches for Jeep vehicles through the Jeep Gear website and at dealers. The mustache is made by Carstache and costs $49.99, with all proceeds going to the Movember Foundation. The foundation supports improvements in men's health, and takes its name from the trend of growing mustaches in November. We would also like to point out that the product description says you shouldn't drive over 40 miles per hour with the mustache in place. So keep the 'stache wearing to your own face when traveling at highway speeds. Now if you don't have a Jeep on which you can put a mustache, well, you could probably put it on whatever car you have since it installs with some rubber-coated wires that thread through the grille. But if you really want a Jeep with a mustache, the company is running a contest in which you can post a photo of your mustache to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #JeepStacheContest for a chance to win a new Renegade. The winner will be the entry with the most creative, original and high-quality mustache. This contest is also an opportunity to help out Movember Foundation a little bit more. Jeep will donate $1 for every post with the hashtag "#JeepStache" up to $15,000. The contest runs until November 30, as does Jeep's donation program. Related Video: