Fiat To Build Wrangler In Ohio, Move Cherokee To Illinois

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Fiat Chrysler says it will spend $700 million to retool its Ohio assembly plant to build a new Jeep Wrangler while also moving Cherokee production to Illinois.

The automaker also said Thursday the moves will add 700 jobs in Toledo and 300 jobs at its Belvidere, Illinois, factory.

Auto workers and city leaders in Toledo had been on edge after Fiat revealed it was considering moving the Wrangler assembly line.

But instead Fiat managers in Toledo told workers last fall that the Wrangler is staying and that it will move the Jeep Cherokee line out of Toledo.

Fiat Chrysler says it will announce at a later date plans for the space now occupied by the Cherokee line in Toledo.

About 5,100 now work at the Toledo assembly complex.

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