DETROIT – Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne made it clear Tuesday that Chrysler will not be transferring production of its Jeep brand to China.
The auto bailout has been a hot political issue in the battleground state of Ohio. Republican candidate Mitt Romney's campaign has boasted of an endorsement from former Chrysler boss Lee Iacocca and the Detroit News.
The Obama campaign has pointed out the Detroit News supported the auto bailout.
Romney ads have said Chrysler would build Jeeps in China .
Sergio Marchionne issued a statement Tuesday to clear up any confusion that might suggest Chrysler would be moving production from Toledo or Detroit to China.
Marchionne's statement:
"I feel obliged to unambiguously restate our position: Jeep production will not be moved from the United States to China. Together, we are working to establish a global enterprise and previously announced our intent to return Jeep production to China, in orer to satisfy local market demand. Jeep assembly lines will remain in operation in the United States and will constitute the backbone of the brand, It is inaccurate to suggest anything different."
Marchionne also pointed out that Jeep production is up in the U.S. with three shifts working at the Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit and half-billion-dollar investment in the Jeep Toledo plant, which will add 1,100 new jobs.
Marchionne said Chrysler wants to build 800,000 units worldwide and cannot build them all here. Like other automakers, Chrysler wants to build products in China to sell in China,.