The Center for Automotive Research is a non-profit group in Michigan. It works with every major automaker in North America on research that involves the future of the global auto industry.
Leaders at C.A.R. say what's happening with the auto industry in Toledo is impressive.
More than 1,100 workers are being hired to build a new Jeep SUV in Toledo. Experts believe it will sell well, but it will have to earn its stripes with loyal Jeep customers.
"Jeep has always been a cult of owners, so they will be tough on it," says Jay Baron, President and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research. "They will say it is fine for it to have the typical look of a muscular, off-road Jeep, but it will better be able to take a beating like Jeep has been known to do."
Baron believes some of the decision to expand in places like Toledo comes down to more than just numbers for Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne.
"I think Marchionne has really been loyal to communities like Detroit and Toledo," he says. "It's like he has decided that we have to build vehicles where we have traditionally built them and not relocate to low cost countries."
Experts say it's not enough for plant operations to be lean, they also have to be flexible. The Toledo assembly complex is certainly both.
"This new morphing into lean/agile is enabling a whole different paradigm of manufacturing in the auto industry, which is exciting for communities like Toledo in the middle of the game," says Baron. "It's really great news."
As the new hi-tech jobs come online at plants like the Toledo assembly complex, Baron is somewhat concerned about a future shortage of workers to fill those positions.
"We do not have a pipeline of young people who look at manufacturing as a career like assembly workers, engineers, sales and marketing, skilled trades," he says. "They are looking elsewhere rather than manufacturing, which is so important."
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:54:56 GMT
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning. Police say officers were patrolling in the 1000 block of Page Street around 12:30 when they saw a man pointing a gun at a woman.
Toledo police shot and killed a man with a gun early Thursday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:47:37 GMT
Source: TPS website
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry. Court documents say the five were caught on surveillance camera throwing paint, birdseed,
Police have arrested five teens, including four Bowsher High School Students, for a senior prank that went awry.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:46:40 GMT
The month of May will likely end up in the top 10 list for the driest May's on record. Despite the dry month it does not look like we are headed for a repeat performance of last year's drought and extreme
The summer forecast calls for above average rainfall for most of the Great Lakes region with near average temperatures.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:20:31 GMT
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
If you're in Archbold and you hear the sound of 100 harps, you're not just hearing things. The 6th annual Harp Gathering is underway May 16-19th.Denise Grupp-Verbon co-founded the festival with her husband.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:07:37 GMT
The picture has been shared over 23,000 times on Facebook. It shows a note pinned to a car. In the note, Facebook user, Jeremy Jon, explains that he took the car owners dog to the Bowling Green Police
Police say viral photo on Facebook is a hoax. Man claimed to save a dog and then posted it on the social network to impress a girl.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:18:14 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township say a 25-year-old woman was was reported missing by her mother has been found.
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