Technology Slice Blog

Fiat Chrysler Venture - Fiat SpA plans to build cars and sports-utility vehicles for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands as part of a joint venture with Chrysler Group LLC at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne said. The carmaker plans to use U.S. “platforms” and make as many as 280,000 vehicles a year at the plant, Marchionne said in a speech to unions today in Turin. New Jeep and Alfa models will be ready by the fourth quarter of 2012. Italy’s largest manufacturer is spending 20 billion euros ($26.5 billion) through 2014 to improve factories and vehicle development in exchange for union concessions on work rules. Marchionne said today that new labor rules will be needed for the Mirafiori plant. Fiat, which acquired a 20 percent stake in Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler last year, has said it will raise the holding to 25 percent by the first quarter of 2011 and to 35 percent by the end of next year. Marchionne plans to take the U.S. automaker...