3 Chrysler plants under consideration for Fiat re-tooling

Negotiations between Chrysler and Fiat regarding an alliance have now turned to production capabilities, and an anonymous source has revealed that three Chrysler plants are under consideration for possible re-tooling, at which point they will build Fiat vehicles, as well as Chrysler-badged vehicles built on Fiat platforms.

The three production plants being considered include Chrysler's Canadian MPV plant in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit, as well as a plant in the U.S. and Mexico. The Windsor plant in Canada currently builds the Chrysler Town & Country, as well as the Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan. If this plant is re-tooled for Fiat production, it could produce Alfa Romeo's MiTo small car as well as a possible Chrysler vehicle based on a future Fiat Grande Punto, reports Automotive News.

Other plants under consideration include Chrysler's Mexico plant that currently builds the Dodge Journey and the Chrysler PT Cruiser. With the PT Cruiser coming to the end of its life cycle soon, this could pave the way for the construction of cars derived from Fiat's A Platform, such as the popular Fiat 500. There is also speculation that a new entry-level Jeep model could be developed from Fiat's Panda Cross 4x4.

Finally, Fiat is also considering Chrysler's assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois. This plant assembles the Dodge Caliber, as well as the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. With a Fiat-backed re-tooling, the plant could easily produce a number of Fiat models, such as the upcoming Alfa Romeo Milano and Alfa's 159-replacement, the Giulia sedan. It could also build new models for Chrysler based on Fiat's D-Evo platform, such as next-generation vehicles in the same vein as the midsize Chrysler Sebring.