Liberty production to end Aug. 16

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Published: 6/7/2012 - Updated: 3 hours ago

BY TYREL LINKHORN BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Jeep will stop building the Liberty sport utility vehicle on Aug. 16, a move that will eliminate some jobs at local suppliers that did not get contracts for the incoming model. However, other suppliers stand to add workers when Jeep begins producing the next-generation replacement in 2013.

Dana Holding Corp. and Faurecia Inc. will each cut about 40 jobs that support the Toledo-built Liberty, The Blade has learned.

Chuck Hartlage, a spokesman for Dana, confirmed the Mamuee-based parts supplier will close a small axle assembly plant at 315 Matzinger Rd. Mr. Hartlage said the plant's 37 employees have been notified the plant will be shuttered Aug. 16.

Union officials affirmed that Aug. 16 is Chrysler Group LLC's shut-down date for the Liberty line.

Dana opened the Matzinger Road plant in 2006 specifically to supply the Liberty and the now-defunct Dodge Nitro. But as Chrysler prepares to bring an all-new model to the Toledo Assembly complex, that work no longer will be there.

"Every time a program or a vehicle is updated, you may continue to supply the parts or they may source it elsewhere," Mr. Hartlage said. "We're not going to be supplying the next generation on that specific part. We still have a lot of business on Jeep vehicles."

Bruce Baumhower, president of UAW Local 12, said Chrysler is bringing axle assembly work back in-house.

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Liberty production to end Aug. 16