Jeep considering moving all production to China

[JdePietro]

Holy miss information batman! 

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/no-jeep-isn-t-moving-factories-production-china-205828426.html

I'll keep this simple...

China has the worlds largest growing economy. They purchase vehicles at a rate unmatched by any other country so it would be silly not to venture into that market. There is an American stigma that surrounds the Jeep brand and the Chinese like it. So they are going to open plants and produce vehicles for that market. Read the article and then feel shame for inciting panic.

[fatbaldguy]

Holy miss information batman! 

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/no-jeep-isn-t-moving-factories-production-china-205828426.html

I'll keep this simple...

 Read the article and then feel shame for inciting panic.

Perhaps the author of the original article linked in this thread should be the one feeling shame.  I commented about that article as written.  I also stated in a different post that I would like to be proven wrong.  Thank you for proving me wrong.  I'm rather relieved to discover that my son will still have a job for a while.  I don't want to have to raise my grandkids.  I also don't see where I was inciting panic.  YMMV, thanks for stopping in, come again, have a nice day.

[GeorgeCook]

Holy miss information batman!  

......Read the article and then feel shame for inciting panic.

Holy Histrionics, Batman!

So we have two opinion pieces that conflict with one another- Washington Examiner and Yahoo! Also we have the Bloomberg news article. I note the author of the Yahoo! piece does not get any clarification from Chrysler about the article.

But here is an official statement written on a Chrysler blog from a honcho with the company:

"Jeep in China
by Gualberto Ranieri
October 25, 2012 4:24 PM
 There are times when the reading of a newswire report generates storms originated by a biased or predisposed approach.

 On Oct. 22, 2012, at 11:10 a.m. ET, the Bloomberg News report “Fiat Says Jeep® Output May Return to China as Demand Rises” stated “Chrysler currently builds all Jeep SUV models at plants in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Manley (President and CEO of the Jeep brand) referred to adding Jeep production sites rather than shifting output from North America to China.”

 Despite clear and accurate reporting, the take has given birth to a number of stories making readers believe that Chrysler plans to shift all Jeep production to China from North America, and therefore idle assembly lines and U.S. workforce. It is a leap that would be difficult even for professional circus acrobats.

 Let’s set the record straight: Jeep has no intention of shifting production of its Jeep models out of North America to China. It’s simply reviewing the opportunities to return Jeep output to China for the world’s largest auto market. U.S. Jeep assembly lines will continue to stay in operation. A careful and unbiased reading of the Bloomberg take would have saved unnecessary fantasies and extravagant comments."

http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com/blog.do;jsessionid=E7F5C343000FEAD2C7AD29238D855AD3?id=1932&p=entry

Mr. Ranieri is the Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, for Fiat/Chrysler. Mr. Ranieri says a careful reading of the Bloomberg article would have avoided the problem, maybe so. And I would suggest to Mr. Ranieri he advise Mr. Manley to weigh his words more carefully in the future.

All of this stated, it would not surprise me they move a significant quantity, if not all production to China in the future. They need to get through this election first before they proceed down that path. I have been through these things before in my career and I can tell you the management will lie to you, with a straight face. So I am not really trusting of official statements from corporations and the government.

YMMV.

Fatbaldguy, I'm glad you're son still has a job for now. If I were him, I would be looking for something else unless he really feels rock-solid at that company.

[JdePietro]

Perhaps the author of the original article linked in this thread should be the one feeling shame.  I commented about that article as written.  I also stated in a different post that I would like to be proven wrong.  Thank you for proving me wrong.  I'm rather relieved to discover that my son will still have a job for a while.  I don't want to have to raise my grandkids.  I also don't see where I was inciting panic.  YMMV, thanks for stopping in, come again, have a nice day.

I was trying to throw out a funny vibe, now I feel shame for being a dick... There is always a possibility of a company moving or shutting down but I think Fiat knows what they are doing and jeep will be around for a long time in the American market.

[fatbaldguy]

I was trying to throw out a funny vibe, now I feel shame for being a dick... There is always a possibility of a company moving or shutting down but I think Fiat knows what they are doing and jeep will be around for a long time in the American market.

No blood, no foul.   You were not being a richard in my book.  The article I referenced just hit a bit too close to home.  Thanks again for the second article.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I was trying to throw out a funny vibe, now I feel shame for being a dick... There is always a possibility of a company moving or shutting down but I think Fiat knows what they are doing and jeep will be around for a long time in the American market.

If it feels good do it   

[JdePietro]

I'm with ya brother. I have a very strong attachment to the Jeep brand. I have owned 1 cherokee and every gen of wrangler since the YJ. I absolutely love the brand. After the by out by Fiat I felt a strong Italian pride in knowing that they were in good hands. Fiat has out lasted damn near every competition it had in Europe. They have a great team of engineers and a very good marketing scheme. Remember the Clint Eastwood commercials during SB half time. Fiat ain't stupid they know Jeep is an iconic American brand, they show a bunch of willy's running the beaches in France and people throw them money. Sad thing is they really don't have a market in France for them. China and Japan however eat them up.

On a side note, the company I work for has sales offices in China and they are now building a plant in China to keep up with the demand. Boats can only go so fast with so much on them, building a facility only makes sense in their eyes. Right now China reminds me of the 90's here. So full of life and purchase power, it won't surprise me when they surpass our import figures. 

If it feels good do it   

Oh you. 

[jnevis]

Thread drift ahead...

The WARN Act notices Tom mentioned have me curious.  I was informed Fri our company did not win the recompeted contract for the work I do.  The company plan is to find spots for people between now and 31 Dec, in all honesty to make sure the new company falls flat.  They don't have the manpower on hand or the expertise to fullfill the contract 1 Jan unless they hire most, if not all of the current staff from my company actually DOING the work.  The only reason they won the contract in the first place is cost.  My company has been supporting this contract for 35 years and has people with nearly 50 yrs experience on the platform.  Most of the gov't technical leads are pissed, but it's all up to contracts to decide.  They will always lean towards a 30% cost savings vice technical ability.  

Long story short, I may be moving between now and Christmas.  Some comparable positions are here locally but most are out of the area (Northern VA, Nothern, or Southern Cali.)  The new company hasn't come in to offer anything yet but unless they hae a VERY good benefit package and the pay is the same or higher, I'll probably stay with the one I'm with.  Unless the govt offers a spot, then all bets are off.

[/rant[]

[RTFM]

Just to dig up a partially dead  horse.... Marconi (FIAT chairman) said today that YES they ARE opening a plant in Chee'nah to open global market - but NOT closing a single MFG in America.

It's to bring JEEP to other corners of the world not move it out of U.S.A.

.02

[2HOW]

The french own them now, they can do what they want.