The new Jeep factory, known as the Detroit Assembly Complex - Mack, is a massive 2.5-million square foot facility with around 5,000 hourly and salaried workers. Their task? Building the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Unfortunately, the place stinks. Literally.

Last month, we reported that the facility was issued with an air quality violation by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) because of "persistent and objectionable paint/solvent odors of moderate intensity… impacting residential areas downwind of the facility." An investigation got underway late last summer following local residents' complaints of a terrible odor coming from the factory.

Unfortunately, Jeep couldn't determine the exact cause of the odor but it's believed to emanate from the paint shop. The automaker hired a third-party engineering firm to investigate and determine the cause. It also promised state officials the investigation will be completed by January 9, 2022. Those findings can't come soon enough.

The Detroit News has learned the state of Michigan has given the automaker a third violation this past week following a report from inspectors who claimed there's still a "moderate to strong" odor coming from the facility. Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, has not responded to comment at this time.

It has only until November 24 to provide officials with a written response explaining why the violation happened and what's being done about it. That third-party investigation may have to be sped up in order to avoid further violations. Meanwhile, local residents are rightly protesting the terrible smell. They're concerned about the toxicity and their long-term health.

To its credit, Stellantis already set up a community hotline to further monitor local conditions. We're sure that the hotline hasn't stopped ringing since the day it was activated. Production of the Grand Cherokee L has not been impacted by the investigation. Still, answers and a solution need to happen as soon as possible.