Ontario Government Set to Give FCA $85 Million to Expand Windsor Minivan Plant

The Canadian Press is reporting that Kathleen Wynne's Ontario government has promised Fiat Chrysler Automobiles $85 million for an expansion of the automaker's minivan assembly plant. Wynne and Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid are making an official announcement about the funding today.

Quoting anonymous sources, CP says the infusion will create 1,200 new jobs and secure around 4,000 others at the factory where Chrysler's new Pacifica minivan is made. Some of those jobs will be at an FCA research and development facility.

The Pacifica is a big deal for FCA, as the ostensible replacement for the ever-popular Dodge Grand Caravan; the new model has also raise some eyebrows for its $44,000 starting price, which is about $1,000 more than the Grand Caravan's range-topping tag.

If this rumour becomes reality, it would be another welcome nugget of good news following GM's announcement to expand its engineering presence in the province.