The Latest: Construction to start on new Detroit car plant

DETROIT — The Latest on plans by Fiat Chrysler to build a new vehicle assembly plant in Detroit (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

Fiat Chrysler says construction is set to begin immediately on a new, $1.6 million assembly plant on Detroit’s east side.

A representative of the automaker told state officials Tuesday that vehicles are expected to start rolling off the line at the plant by late 2020.

The Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved land deals and community benefits agreements tied to the project. Michigan’s Strategic Fund was expected to vote Tuesday afternoon on the state’s portion of incentives for the project.

The new assembly plant is expected to add 3,850 jobs. Fiat Chrysler also plans an additional 1,100 new jobs at its adjacent Jefferson North Assembly plant to build the Jeep Grand Cherokee and a new, three-row, full-size Jeep SUV and plug-in hybrid models for all.

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2:20 p.m.

Fiat Chrysler can move forward with plans to build a new, $1.6 million assembly plant on Detroit’s eastside and invest $900 million to retool and modernize another.

The Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved land deals and community benefits agreements tied to the project. They include a four-week exclusive window Detroit residents will have to apply for jobs at the facilities once laid-off workers and temporary employees are considered.

Fiat Chrysler expects to add 4,950 new jobs — mostly on the assembly line.

The company is getting tax breaks and 215 acres (87 hectares) of adjacent land the city had to acquire. The land deals are about $108 million, with Detroit and the state splitting it about equally.

The Associated Press