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FCA spends $1.5 billion to retool plant for Ram production

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is planning to invest $1.48 billion to retool its Sterling Heights Assembly plant in metro Detroit to build the next generation of the Ram 1500. The investment will allow the assembly plant to go from unibody to body-on-frame construction. FCA also confirmed that production of the Chrysler 200 will end in December in order for the plant to be altered. As previously reported, FCA is looking to move production of the 1500 from its current assembly plant in Warren to the Sterling Heights Assembly plant (both are in Michigan). While FCA has not released any official plans for the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, Automotive News reports that the plant will be retooled to manufacture the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs. Earlier this month, FCA announced plans to invest $1.05 billion to retool the Jeep Wrangler factory. FCA's current investment plans are part of the automaker's push to put competitive products on the road. Related Video: News Source: FCA, Automotive NewsImage Credit: FCA Plants/Manufacturing Chrysler Jeep RAM SUV Sedan

Jeep Renegade to show off new Mopar gear in Detroit

Jeep's adorable new Renegade is arriving in the US market soon (we're looking forward to driving it in a couple weeks), and to highlight that fact, the American off-road brand is trotting out a pair of Mopar-modified compact CUVs for the 2015 North American International Auto Show. Rather simply, Jeep has modified one Renegade to show off its prowess in the city, and another that plays up the crossover's off-road abilities. Despite their different purposes, both vehicles show off Mopar's parts catalog and Jeep's Authentic Accessories lineup for the new baby Jeep. The Urban Renegade borrows uses a Renegade Limited with Anvil paint as its base and draws from the Accessories catalog, adding a number of Omaha orange accents and satin black wheels. Mopar donated a bike-hauling trailer hitch to the rear of the Renegade, while its cabin features Katzkin leather-lined seats. Once again, Omaha orange accents brighten up the Limited's cabin. As for the off-road model, Mopar got a bit more involved, starting with the Renegade Trailhawk and adding satin black wheels with Colorado red trim and X-shaped graphics, borrowed from military jerry cans, to the Commando Green exterior. A number of prototype and one-off body mods were fitted to the Trailhawk, including a concept skid plate, rock rails and a new rear valence. Inside, Katzkin leather was applied to the Renegade's seats while the Omaha orange accents from the Urban Renegade have been replaced with Commando Green bits and bobs in the off-road model. Look for more on these new Renegade twins come Monday, when we hit the floor of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Until then, check out the official press release from Mopar. Mopar to Showcase Trio of Customized Vehicles at NAIAS 2015 - Mopar display at 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit to spotlight how Mopar parts help customers personalize their rides - Off-road Mopar-equipped Jeep® Renegade makes Trailhawk model of Jeep brand's all-new small SUV even more trail tough using Jeep Performance Parts - Urban Mopar-equipped Jeep Renegade enhances city-sized proportions and versatility of the all-new 2015 Renegade with selections from Jeep Authentic Accessories catalog - Dodge Challenger T/A Concept blends vintage design cues with cutting-edge Mopar performance mods January 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

FCA recalling 63k Jeeps, Vipers and Ram ProMaster City vans

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced a pair of recalls cover nearly 63,000 vehicles. The bigger of the two actions covers manual-transmission-equipped vehicles from 2006, including the Jeep Liberty and Wrangler, as well as the Dodge Viper. FCA engineers uncovered that the clutch ignition interlock switches use a kind of wire that was part of a previous recall campaign. Because of this, the company said that affected vehicles may not start, although in rare cases, "if recommended starting procedures are not followed," the affected vehicles may lurch forward after turning the key. Those recommended starting procedures "include activating the parking brake, placing the shift lever in neutral and pressing the clutch pedal before turning the vehicle's ignition key." Recall number two affects the company's 2015 Ram ProMaster City cargo and passenger vans. Owners will need to report to dealers to have a piece of tape removed from the side-curtain airbags. The tape is added during assembly and in some cases, may not have been removed. That could prevent the airbags from deploying in the event of a crash. Just under 59,000 vehicles are included in the first recall, including 43,874 in the United States, 11,309 outside of North America, 2,944 in Canada and 706 in Mexico. The ProMaster City recall includes just over 3,900 vehicles. FCA claims it's unaware of any injuries, fatalities or accidents related to either recall and will perform repairs free of charge. Scroll down for the official press release on both campaigns. Related Video: Statement: Clutch Ignition Interlock Switch April 23, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a voluntary recall of an estimated 43,874 older-model U.S.-market cars and SUVs equipped with manual transmissions. The Company will replace their clutch ignition interlock switches at no charge to customers. The action follows an investigation by FCA US engineers that discovered these vehicles are equipped with switches that contain a certain type of wire implicated in a previous campaign. The wire, which was temporarily substituted by a supplier for the specified material, may break. As a result, the vehicles may not start, and in rare cases – if recommended starting procedures are not followed – a vehicle may exhibit unintended movement when its ignition key is turned. FCA US is unaware of aware of any related injuries or accidents involving this population of vehicles.