Stellantis has sold its Mopar site in Center Line but will continue to use the location near Interstate 696 while it works toward eventual construction of a consolidated parts distribution hub in the region.
The automaker, which owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands, on Tuesday confirmed the sale and leaseback arrangement of the site in Macomb County, north of Detroit.
“Stellantis is progressing with its Mopar consolidation plans as outlined in the 2023 UAW collective bargaining agreement. The sale of the Mopar facility in Center Line, finalized in December with a leaseback agreement, ensures operations and employment for the approximately 500 UAW-represented employees will continue uninterrupted until a new facility is completed,” according to a statement provided by Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson.
Financial details of the sale were not revealed. Crain’s Detroit earlier reported the buyers as New York City-based Ashley Capital and Hazel Park-based CSC Capital.
Kyle Morton, vice president − development in Ashley Capital’s office in Canton, said he could confirm that the intent is to redevelop the 80-acre site, which currently has four buildings.
Dennis Champine, city manager in Center Line, expressed optimism while noting Mopar’s long history in the 1.75-square-mile site surrounded by Warren.
UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, middle, greets strikers at Stellantis’ Mopar facility in Center Line in this 2023 file photo. The automaker sold the site near I-696 in December but will continue using it for the time being as it works to build a consolidated parts hub in the region.
“We see this as a beneficial sale because of the fact that Ashley Capital has an impeccable record with the developments they have been involved in in metro Detroit,” he said, referencing the firm’s involvement with the redevelopment of the former Hazel Park Raceway.
Still, he said it’s “sad to see Mopar leave. They’ve been a part of our community since 1953.”
Stellantis, in its statement, noted that “while Mopar’s administrative headquarters have always been at the Chrysler Technology Center in Auburn Hills, the Center Line location has housed warehouse and packaging operations for more than 30 years.”
The Center Line site figured prominently in the 2023 UAW strike with top union officials, including President Shawn Fain and Vice President Rich Boyer, then head of the union’s Stellantis Department, making appearances as workers picketed.
Out of that contract deal came clarity on the company’s intention to consolidate and modernize its Mopar parts distribution facilities.
Stellantis said it’s “in various stages of selling and consolidating several parts distribution centers, including locations in Marysville, Milwaukee and Atlanta, with plans for leasebacks during any transition. While discussions about a Mopar megahub in Michigan are ongoing, the future site will be state of the art with new technology and innovation, a very safe and modern working environment for our employees that will be operationally carbon net zero, consistent with our Dare Forward (business plan) objectives to deliver cleaner more environmentally responsible operations.”
Story Continues