Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has no plans to bring additional product to its Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ont., company CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters at the North American International Auto Show.
When asked by CBC News whether there was any credence to suggestions a Chrysler crossover sport utility vehicle would be built at the plant, Marchionne replied: "No."
"There's been a lot of discussion, but I don't have anything to announce," Marchionne said. "We haven't made a decision."
He made those remarks during an interview touching on a broad range of topics, including Canadian labour relations, government funding for automakers and a brand new Jeep Wrangler.
Marchionne appeared at the auto show in Detroit as Chrysler unveiled its new 2017 Pacifica minivan.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich. (Alex Brockman/CBC)
Limited production of the Pacifica has been ongoing at Windsor Assembly for about eight months and full production is expected to ramp up within the next few weeks.
Marchionne praised workers at the plant for their ability to adapt to a new production process after a $2 billion U.S-retrofit to the production facility.
"The workforce is capable," he said. "I think we've seen a phenomenal response from the Windsor people on launching the new minivan and continuing to produce their current vehicles."
But Marchionne also issued a warning about Canada's competitiveness as an automotive producer, even with the Canadian dollar sinking below $0.70 U.S.
"It's a very simple issue," he said. "I said it before and I'm going to say it now — the only standard that's going to govern investment in Ontario and Canada on the automotive side is the competitiveness of the environment."
As the company gears up for contract negotiations with Unifor, he said there are no guarantees the company will keep building cars in Canada.
"There's nothing wrong with the workforce, the environment appears to be alright," Marchionne said. "But there are alternatives. Producing in the U.S is an alternative, producing in Mexico. We'll continue to be competitive, it's that simple."
As to the Wrangler, which will be a pickup built at the company's facility in Toledo, Ohio, Marchionne said, "The car is ready to go, we just need to get off our butts and build it."
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