Fiat-Chrysler in Windsor is getting an $85.8-million grant from the Ontario Liberals, more than two years after the company asked for government aid.
Nearly $17-million will go towards research, while the remaining $69-million is to offset the $2.6-billion in upgrade costs at Windsor Assembly, which have already been made.
FCA Canada CEO Reid Bigland and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, June 15, 2016. (Photo by Jason Viau)
FCA Canada CEO Reid Bigland says the relationship is "strong" between both sides.
"It's never too little, too late. We're very proud of the support and grateful for the support we received from the province of Ontario, the premier," says Bigland. "As we look for additional investments in the Canadian jurisdiction, we're looking to keep them informed."
It was March, 2014 when FCA withdrew its request for government funding. At that time CEO Sergio Marchionne said the company's projects were being used as a "political football."
Now Wynne says they've made it past the "kerfuffle," adding both sides have always remained in contact.
Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Growth Brad Duguid says the province has seen nearly $5-billion in auto investment over the last two years. FCA's $2.6-billion to retool Windsor Assembly is the largest, he adds.
No new jobs are expected to be created from this, aside from possibly "some" additional technical jobs.
Chrysler has already hired more than 1,200 new workers at Windsor Assembly to help build the new Pacifica.
The hybrid version is expected to be in car dealerships by the fourth quarter, Bigland says.
