(July 13, 2017) DETROIT — It was announced this week that Fiat Chrysler will permanently close its Conner Assembly Plant on Aug. 31, as production of the Dodge Viper ends. FCA had made it known in June 2016 that it would end production of the low-volume, high-powered $90,000 sports car.

The plant employs 87 people who build Vipers by hand. In a notice filed on June 30 with the state of Michigan, FCA said it expected it would be able to offer positions to all of affected employees at other locations.

Conner is FCA's smallest assembly plant in North America, where the automaker has built the Viper for over 25 years. Production will end in August because the two-seater cannot meet new safety regulations which go into effect Sept. 1.

Over the years, workers at Conner Avenue, many of whom transferred in from other FCA plants in the metro Detroit region, suffered frequent layoffs as Viper sales waxed and waned, but chose to remain at the plant because of its special nature first within Chrysler and later within FCA.

FCA declined to elaborate on the company’s plans for the Conner Avenue facility. FCA also operates the Jefferson North Assembly Plant on the city’s east side.

Sources: Automotive News, Detroit News