Fiat Chrysler discussing Romanian Jeep production

BUCHAREST, Romania, June 1 (UPI) -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in talks to partner with a Romanian arms company to manufacture Jeep J8 4x4 military vehicles, the AGERPRES news agency reported.

Company representatives met May 24 with officials from the Bucharest Mechanical Plant, a facility that is a subsidiary of the state-owned Romarm.

Basing Jeep production at the plant would offer a local boost, as the plant's general director, Ulysses Toader, said the facility currently operates at just 10 percent capacity.

Such a deal could evolve to include a wider defense and national security product range.

Flower Serban, Romarm's national director, called the proposal "extremely important" and one that could help revitalize Romania's defense industry.

Such an initiative would also show that Romania wants to be a player in the defense industry, officials told AGERPRES, while further aligning with U.S. military and economic partnerships.