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Sterling Heights Assembly Laying Off 1,420 Workers, Chrysler 200 Is to Blame

It is rather funny that Fiat Chrysler is called this way considering that neither of those brands is a top seller, especially the American one. In its 90-year history, the Chrysler brand has never been as insipid and ignorant as it is now. As if the brand wasn’t troubled enough, the plant where FCA makes the 200 is now preparing to lay off 1,420 workers.
Sterling Stamping Plant and a Chrysler 200 body shell 1 photo
Photo: FCA
As reported by The Detroit News, a shift is being cut at the plant because the 200 mid-size sedan is a commercial disaster, one that has been made worse by the increasing demand for SUVs and pickup trucks. 1,420 workers from the assembly and the supporting stamping facility that build the second generation of the 200 have to go.

Speaking of the Chrysler 200, Sergio Marchionne himself has admitted that designers have copied Hyundai. The head honcho of Fiat Chrysler went on to label the designers “dummies,” stating that “some people from design left some of their private parts on the table after the determination.”

Because of this monumental mess-up, dwindling sales figures, and a 9-speed automatic transmission that has been recalled over a glitch with the software, the Chrysler 200 will be discontinued next year. The collateral damage comes in the form of the discontinuation of the compact-sized Dodge Dart, the most affordable nameplate sold by the Dodge brand Stateside. These said, Chrysler is undoubtedly in the middle of a crisis, both internal and external.

On a more uplifting note, union employees under UAW contract with Fiat Chrysler are paid from 70 to 75 percent of their gross pay while laid off. The contract also gives a choice to those on indefinite layoff. These souls can be offered out-of-market jobs (as in greater than 50 miles away). By accepting the offer, an employee receives up to $50,000 for relocation. Those who decline it remain eligible for other job opportunities.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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