AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
Nov. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --
- Facility will have lowest emissions rate of any auto assembly
plant in the United States
- Company to voluntarily conduct additional air monitoring and
public reporting
- Environmental responsibility initiatives extend beyond FCA and
into the neighborhood
The future home of two electrified Jeep® vehicles will also
be home to one of the most efficient and sustainable manufacturing
operations at FCA in North America. Located on the east side
of Detroit, the new assembly plant
reflects the Company's commitment to bringing 4,950 new jobs to the
city, as well as building an assembly plant with the lowest VOC
emissions rate in the United
States, ensuring that it is a good neighbor to the
community.
"Following numerous public and private discussions with
residents, especially those nearest the facility, we're proud to
share our environmental plans and the future of FCA manufacturing
in Detroit," said Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, FCA -
North America. "We're honored the
residents of the city support us, and know that every step of the
way, we need to prove that we follow through on our commitments and
will be good neighbors long into our collective future."
FCA partnered with local community leaders and organizations to
listen to concerns, engage them in the decision making, and ensure
educational and environmental needs are addressed. Environmental
efforts support six priority areas: enhance air quality, improve
landscape aesthetics, reduce and manage stormwater impact, support
pollinators and wildlife habitats, provide educational
opportunities and support pride in the community.
Environmental projects that FCA will execute over the next three
years include:
- Construct and install stormwater park to control runoff; park
will be available for use by the neighborhood and include a walking
path surrounded by native vegetation, pollinator gardens and
educational pavilion
- Install vegetative buffers and bioswales to further minimize
stormwater runoff; bioswales are vegetated areas that naturally
filter and slow stormwater runoff to help reduce the impact
stormwater can have on a municipal system
- Help transform vacant lots into green spaces where once
blighted homes stood with trees, shrubs and gardens working with
community organizations, such as the Chandler Park Neighborhood
Association and the Canfield Alliance Network
- Help revive urban tree canopy by planting more than 1,000 new
trees onsite and within the immediate neighborhood
- Partner with the Wildlife Habitat Council to create and support
thriving urban biodiversity, pollinator habitats and on-campus
conservation projects
- Host ongoing programs with local schools to build awareness and
educate young students on the benefits of environmental
stewardship
- Install solar-powered bus stop shelters together with the
Detroit Department of Transportation, providing residents a
well-lit location and available mobile device charging stations
- Host informative event on the benefits of rain barrel capture
of stormwater and provide rain barrels to interested residents
"Our commitment to this city goes well beyond our facility,"
said Stewart. "Our future lies in the hearts and minds of the young
people who grow and thrive in Detroit. Supporting their growth is especially
important to me, which is why we will also be partnering with other
local organizations to further enhance the neighborhood."
Once up and running, the new assembly plant will also operate
using the latest advanced technologies and processes,
including:
- Hydrogen fuel cells to power the material handling fleet
- More than 30 electric vehicle charging stations
- Industry-leading water processing and recycling systems
- Benchmark energy efficiency practices, including planned LEED
Certification of paint shop
- 6,000 LED lamps inside and outside the facility
- Zero waste-to-landfill initiative
- Natural-gas-powered, Detroit-based semitruck fleet to haul
parts
FCA Motor Citizens also volunteer their time to projects on the
east side of Detroit. Through the
Motor Citizens program, the Company offers salaried employees in
the U.S., Canada and Mexico 18 hours of paid time off to volunteer
their time, energy and expertise in the communities where they live
and work.
Early this year, FCA finalized a Community Benefits Agreement
following weeks of public meetings with residents in the
neighborhoods around the Mack plant. The Agreement commits FCA and
the City of Detroit to provide
more than $35 million in support for
neighborhood improvements, housing, workforce development,
education and training programs, and environmental initiatives,
including a $1.8 million commitment
to help homeowners on the city's eastside invest in and repair
their homes.
The Company announced it would invest $1.6 billion to convert the two existing Mack
facilities into a new assembly site for an all-new, three-row,
full-size Jeep SUV and the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee,
along with their electrified models. The first vehicles are
expected to roll off the line by the end of 2020. When complete,
the facility will be the first new assembly plant built in the
City of Detroit in nearly 30
years.
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs,
manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler,
Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT
performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and
Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA
US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler
Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana
Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs,
including Giovanni Agnelli.
FCA US is a member of the Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/
MTA: FCA).
FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato
Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."
Follow FCA US news and video
on:
Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica
Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com
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SOURCE FCA