Kaptur Pledges Full Support to Keeping Jeep in Toledo

TOLEDO (October 3, 2014) -- Congresswoman Kaptur said today she is confident that Fiat Chrysler will keep vehicle production in Toledo and pledged her full commitment to efforts aimed at retaining the iconic Jeep brand.

“We have the finest workers in the world at our Jeep plant,” Kaptur said. “They’ve done everything that has been asked of them—and then some. The Jeep workforce in Toledo has put real meaning to the term ‘world-class manufacturing.’ "

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief Sergio Marchionne said on Thursday the company is discussing a possible shift from steel to aluminum construction for the Jeep Wrangler and that such a move would result in production leaving Toledo. Marchionne also said there would be no job losses at the Toledo assembly plants, which employ approximately 1,700 workers.

“We build the leading brands here—the Wrangler and Cherokee,” said Kaptur. “Jeep is in our soul. It’s our tradition and we want it to continue.”

Kaptur said she was discussing with local leaders various options to help keep Jeep production in Toledo.