Report: Fiat moving planned production of Chrysler Sebring back to U.S.

Following the recent news that Chrysler will re-hire 900 workers and add a second shift back at its Sterling Heights, MI assembly plant comes word that the next-generation replacements for the Sebring and Dodge Avenger will be produced there. Supposedly, Fiat had plans to build the cars in Turin, Italy along with the Alfa Romeo Giulia, but could not reach a suitable agreement with its unions on work rules.

The idea of building the mid-size sedans in Italy for export to North America seemed highly implausible anyhow. The family sedan segment is among the most competitive in this market and pricing pressures are tough enough without factoring in exchange rates. Most of the Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and soon even Volkswagen mid-size models are or will be built locally in order to keep costs down. Regardless of the reasoning, according to Automotive News, it now looks like the new sedans will be built in the plant north of Detroit on Fiat platforms beginning in 2013.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]