That plan, which used Fiat's D-Evo platform and also included building an Alfa Romeo D-SUV spin-off, fell by the wayside this year after a union vote at Mirafiori had positively affirmed the proposals. The concept of an Alfa D-SUV was also subsequently cancelled. Instead Chrysler Group announced this week that it will invest $1.7 billion to support the development and production of the D-SUV Jeep SUV in 2013, including $500 million at the Toledo Assembly Complex. As a result, it will add a second shift of production or about 1,100 jobs, bringing total employment at the complex to over 2,800.

Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne, along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur, Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, UAW Regional Director Ken Lortz, and other local officials joined employees to announce the news.

Marchionne confirmed that the new Jeep D-segment SUV would be built in the Toledo facility for export to markets all over the world. “Earlier this year, I promised that I would have good news to share about our Toledo operations, so I am pleased to be able to make this announcement, which further demonstrates our commitment to the special relationship that Chrysler and the City of Toledo have shared,” said Marchionne. “Over many decades, Chrysler has become a part of this community’s fabric. With this investment and the addition of more than a thousand jobs, we continue to play our part in contributing to the city’s industrial and social development. Most importantly, this investment recognizes the support of the UAW and the role that our skilled and dedicated workforce has played in producing some of the finest, most recognized vehicles on the road today.

“I want to thank Governor Kasich and Mayor Bell for working with us to make the business case for this investment. I would also like to thank Congresswoman Kaptur and all of the federal, state and local officials for their ongoing support,” said Marchionne.

The $500 million investment in the Toledo plant includes a 260,000-square-foot expansion of the existing body shop and upgrades to all other areas of the assembly plant. In addition, Chrysler will add a state-of-the-art, 26,000-square-foot Metrology Center, which will help improve vehicle quality by verifying key measurements to ensure accurate fit and finish. The remainder of the $1.7 billion will be invested in other Chrysler Group facilities in the U.S., supplier tooling and other related development costs. Work on the plant will begin in the fourth quarter of 2011 and continue through 2012. The Toledo North Assembly Plant currently builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro.

“This announcement continues the momentum that the Chrysler Group has experienced over the past 28 months,” said General Holiefield, Vice President and Director of the UAW Chrysler Department. “Not only is the company continuing to invest in its facilities, but it is adding jobs and securing the future of our current workforce by demonstrating its commitment to the workers who have contributed to the Company’s remarkable turnaround.”