Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will be skipping its usual summer shutdown to continue building much-needed inventory that was dwindled down due to plant shutdowns for the COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) pandemic. The move will allow the automaker to replenish its inventory of popular trucks, SUVs, and muscle cars.
According to the company, the following plants will remain operational through the summer shutdown…
United States:
- Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) – Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango
- Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) – Ram 1500
- Toledo Assembly Complex – Jeep® Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, and Gladiator
Canada:
- Brampton Assembly Plant – Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger
Mexico:
- Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant – Ram Heavy Duty, Ram Chassis Cab, and Global Ram 1500 Classic
- Saltillo Van Assembly Plant – Ram ProMaster
Dealers across the United States and Canada have been complaining about low inventory volumes and not being able to fill the demand of their customers. Tens of thousands of customers held off exchanging their leases due to much of the dealer base being closed during the numerous stay-at-home orders for areas across the United States and Canada.
Pickup inventories across the both countries have been low since many of the state-at-home orders have been lifted. Many dealers across both areas have been struggling to find the existing products on other dealers lots to fulfill their needs. Thanks to low-interest rates and lots of cash down on the hoods of many products during the shutdown, many lots just simply have little to no inventory depending on where you are located.
According to the Automotive News, the plants that were not listed above will either have a one or two-week summer shutdown. One source close to MoparInsiders has said that FCA has more than 400,000 open dealer orders that are currently trying to be filled. However, as of the writing of this article, FCA hasn’t replied to the comment.
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