FCA To Build A Mopar Custom Shop In Toledo?

According to the Toledo Blade, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is looking to build a 250,000 sq.-ft. Mopar Custom Shop facility near its Toledo Assembly Complex, to outfit its popular Jeep® Wrangler and Gladiator models. Both the Wrangler and Gladiator models are among the most modified vehicles in the automaker’s portfolio. The project would cost around $23 million and employ around 300 employees.

The article goes on to state that FCA is in talks with the city to purchase two parcels of property, one which has been vacant since 2009 and the other since 2013. Toledo Wade Kapszukiewicz announced a pending purchase agreement with FCA back in December, stating they want to sell the parcels to FCA for $1.

In return, the city will authorize tax increment financing for the parcels prior to the sale and will increase the property tax revenue from the new development to help fund public improvements. The Toledo Blade also reports that FCA will provide the city with a conditional buy-back option, that would allow the city of Toledo to purchase the property back for $1 if the automaker has not developed the property within four years.

Currently, FCA operates other Mopar Custom Shops at several of its other facilities. This includes the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP), which we took an inside look at back in June of 2019. We have seen on several occasions that several Gladiator models had been shipped up to the SHAP facility to be modified at the facility, proving that it would make more sense to operate a facility near the Toledo Assembly Complex.

Mopar Custom Shops add such things as Mopar accessories, exterior graphics, spray-in bed liners, suspension, and wheel upgrades as well, all before they arrive in dealer showrooms. In 2018, the Mopar Custom Shops outfitted more than 420,000 FCA vehicles.

For those who are curious, what happens inside one of FCA’s Mopar Custom Shops, you can watch the video below…