FCA to Boost SUV Production in Italy

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV reportedly plans to hike output at underutilized factories in Italy by boosting their output of SUV/crossover vehicles.

FCA plans to meet with union officials on Thursday to detail the plan before describing it to reporters later that day. The company outlined a plan last June to hike SUV production and spend €9 billion ($10.2 billion) on plug-in hybrids and all-electric models.

Reuters says FCA’s plant in Pomigliano, which already makes the compact Jeep Compass, will add the smaller Jeep Renegade and an even smaller “baby” Jeep. Sources tell the news service that the facility will continue to make the Fiat Panda minicar, discounting earlier reports that Panda production would return to FCA’s plant in Poland.

FCA’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, which builds the Maserati Levante luxury crossover, also may build Alfa Romeo’s upcoming large crossover, which will share the same platform, according to Reuters’ sources.