We were driving back from Galena in late July on the four-lane highway Illinois taxpayers footed to lure Chrysler to build a manufacturing plant in Belvidere.
The first view showed lots of vehicles in the vast parking lot.
As we got closer, we could see pickups.
I don’t think I have ever seen the lot so full.
Train cars were sitting ready to be used.
Next to the plant is the United Auto Workers union Local 1268 headquarters.
Jeeps – one of the most over-priced problem prone vehicles made in America today,
same with Ram trucks. Nobody seems to want them anymore.
When you buy a Jeep, you’re paying for the name.
Sadly, the only thing Chrysler has going for it these days are its muscle cars.
Isn’t JB spending $300 million to extend METRA trains to Belvedere & Rockford?
Question is why?
UAW has worked tirelessly to destroy the American Auto industry.
GM and Ford continue to do well despite their efforts…largely leaving the UAW states to survive.
Passenger service.
They need chips…
Frequently see the old style type jeep being driven on public roads and the tires stick way, way out beyond the fenders.
The tires also seem to be much larger than needed.
Does not seem to make sense.
Especially if the jeep is on a gravel road and kicking up stones or in rain and water splash is not contained by fenders.
I see a decent number of Jeep Cherokee Sports on the road still.
Quality, rugged vehicle that still puts the work in 22 years after it was discontinued.
But Chrysler decided to focus on the more “luxurious” Grand Cherokee and a number of indistinguishable and equally forgettable smaller models.
But do go ahead and blame Illinois for their poor business sense.
Also, Toilet Bowl is likely correct. T
hese are probably units that are nearly complete but functionally useless without the required electrical components that have been in short supply.
Abe, Shows what you know…
My first Ram went 17 years and still ran fine, but was rusty.
Second Ram going on 10 years and counting.
I only look at GM or Ford trucks in my mirror.
…”on the four-lane highway Illinois taxpayers footed to lure Chrysler to build a manufacturing plant in Belvidere.”
And it worked.
The plant came and was successful thus far for 58 years.
Monk the problem is, is it paid for yet?
There were a couple of bailouts along the way.
That wasn’t on the UAW. They gave back and gave back. They accepted a two tier pay system years ago. Chrysler sold its soul years ago when it allowed Fiat to become the principle owner and our government allowed it. Fiat then was bought by Stellantis. Our government pushed the Electric vehicle BS and Stellantis wasn’t going to invest in converting to Electric in USA.
Stellantis, is the fourth-biggest automaker in the world by volume.
Stellantis has or operators 14 different brands, including Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Citroën.
Stellantis refused to put any resources into Belvidere. Their money went to Europe.
Added to the issue was continued problems with quality. Jeep had horrendous quality problems and Stellantis wasn’t going to change over Belvidere to Electric production try and fix Jeep’s issues. They closed the plant.
If you know Belvidere and the relationship with Chrysler, you know that suppliers of many automotive parts built plants there to supply Chrysler. These plants now are closing. Cassen’s transportation hauled the cars to dealers. Cassen’s is pretty much gone. Besides the Chrysler job losses, away went hundreds of support industry jobs.
They were trucked in from other plants to be loaded on the trains to head towards the Hellhole City and beyond.
This plant is closed and switching over the lines for electric vehicles until the next president gets in and the Electric vehicles will be slowed down…..way down.
It’s so sad to have another auto plant close, along with all of the other businesses that make parts. When are the big wigs going to realize how closing these companies, ruin the lives & towns that they are in.
It took Janesville, WI year’s to grow back from that.
Something with our government need to change!
Read somewhere that the Charger and Challenger will be discontinued.
Stelantis going to mostly sewing machine type cars, vehicles.
Quiet.
These are all quiet on the road.
How will guys on weekends, nights make noise driving around, showing their macho.
I had two Dodge Dakota’s.
Had both for a dozen years each.I now have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that is going on sixteen years old. Nothing but standard maintenance, tires, brakes, etc.
My wife has a five year old Jeep Cherokee that is still like new!
As far as the vehicles you saw in the Belvidere lot, that is a marshaling point.
Vehicles are shipped everywhere from there.
Know what you are talking about before you make assumptions!
The UAW and the skilled trades are the reason you even have a middle class in this country.
Do you think these corporate giants just give workers good wages and benefits out of the kindness of their hearts? Wake up!
So easy to criticize when you are clueless!
I have seen the lots empty.
Iam having a hard time believing the auto company brings in vehicles produced elsewhere to re-ship, but, you are correct, I do not know that is not true.
Jeep Compasses are garbage I’m glad this waste of a factory closed down
It is to be re-opened for other purposes.