Grand Cherokee-Based Maserati SUV to be Built in Detroit

[Jimmyb]

Fiat recently announced that the all-new Maserati Kubang SUV will not only be based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, but will also be manufactured at the Grand Cherokee's assembly at the Jefferson North factory in Detroit. Speculation is that a third shift will be added to accomodate the additional production.

Chrysler’s slogan might be “Imported from Detroit” — but soon, the company owned by Fiat will be building and exporting a Maserati from Detroit. The Maserati Kubang SUV, unveiled today in Frankfurt, likely will add jobs at Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant when it goes into production.

“They are building it at Jefferson North and, yes, I believe they are exporting it,” said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst with IHS Automotive. While Fiat spokesman Richard Gadeselli cautioned that the Kubang is a show car, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne committed last December to build a vehicle like it in Detroit.

The Maserati he discussed would have the same underbody as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs built at Jefferson North, but distinctive sheet metal and a Ferrari engine.

The platforms have some links to the new Mercedes-Benz M-class, which was started as a joint program during the DaimlerChrysler era. Bernard Stewart, president of UAW Local 7, said he had no official word of when production would start.



Jefferson North currently employs about 2,800 workers on two shifts. Both the Grand Cherokee and Durango are selling very well. The addition of a third vehicle almost certainly would require a third shift, but neither Chrysler nor UAW officials would confirm that. Chrysler added 1,080 jobs in mid-2010 to launch the new Jeep and Dodge SUVs.

It would broaden the integration of Chrysler and Fiat, which owns 53.5% of the its Auburn Hills partner, to a new brand. Early this year the partners launched the Fiat 500 minicar in the U.S. The small car is assembled in Mexico. There are plans for a Fiat-badged version of the new Dodge Journey crossover vehicle, which is also built in Mexico.

Joint projects in development include more than 20 vehicles based on the shared foundations, or platforms, including an Alfa Romeo SUV, the Jeep Compass, a Fiat sedan in China and a new small Dodge vehicle. Fiat assembles the retro-styled 500 subcompact for the U.S. at Chrysler's plant near Mexico City.

[taskmaster]

Are they serious about that name???
That's one onomatopoeia that may be a bit ominous with Jeep coachwork and a Ferrari heart. "KUBANG" might be the first thing it does at 160 on the freeway.