| The American car manufacturer Chrysler Group | | | | Kenosha plant, the plant's manager, Kevin Sell, has |
| recently announced that they have earmarked a | | | | this to say: "Chrysler Group has had a |
| sum of $450 million for the improvement of their | | | | 20-year-long presence in Kenosha - and even |
| engine assembly plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The | | | | longer factoring in American Motors' storied past. |
| company announced that the sum will be used to | | | | With this new tooling and this new engine line, |
| retool the engine plant for the production of | | | | we're demonstrating the commitment of Chrysler |
| fuel-efficient V6 engines. | | | | Group to support economic development and |
| The improvements to be made at the said engine | | | | invest in the communities where it does business." |
| assembly facility are part of the company's $3 | | | | Also present at the announcement is Wisconsin |
| billion investment on powertrain development. The | | | | Governor James Doyle who has this to say about |
| retooling of the facility is a step to prepare the | | | | the improvements to be made at the Kenosha |
| facility in the production of the company's new | | | | plant: "Wisconsin is one of America's leading |
| engine known as Phoenix engines. The $3 billion | | | | manufacturing economies. This $450 million |
| investment also includes the development of the | | | | commitment by Chrysler to our state |
| duel-clutch transmission which is a joint venture | | | | demonstrates that we continue to attract |
| between Chrysler and German auto parts | | | | important investments that provide high paying |
| manufacturer Getrag. | | | | jobs for our workforce. This shows what can |
| The powertrain offensive initiated by Chrysler will | | | | happen when state and local governments work |
| also involve the production of common axle | | | | together to create a business-friendly |
| family. These initiatives are part of Chrysler's | | | | environment." |
| commitment to produce fuel-efficient vehicles in | | | | The retooling of the assembly plant will |
| the near future. | | | | commence in June of 2010. The Kenosha plant |
| The Kenosha engine assembly plant is expected | | | | produces engine assemblies while other auto parts |
| to be fully operational by January of 2011. | | | | like brake parts similar to EBC rotors are |
| Chrysler projects a production output of 400,000 | | | | manufactured by independent auto parts |
| engines annually for the facility. The powertrain | | | | manufacturer. |
| offensive is also a part of Chrysler's Recovery | | | | As for the reaction of the United Auto Workers, |
| and Transformation Plan which aims to turn the | | | | UAW Vice President General Holiefield has this to |
| ailing car manufacturer to profitability by 2008. | | | | say: "This is an important day for the future of |
| "This retooling investment will allow us to build an | | | | the UAW and Chrysler Group, and in particular for |
| entirely new, globally competitive family of V-6 | | | | the continued competitiveness of our team here |
| engines," says Richard Chow-Wah, the Chrysler | | | | in the State of Wisconsin. We have a vision to |
| Group Vice President for Powertrain | | | | see this company and our union grow this |
| Manufacturing. "The Chrysler Group Recovery and | | | | business and transform Chrysler Group into a |
| Transformation Plan is focused on new products, | | | | stronger company that will be competitive for the |
| and today's news supports a long-term | | | | long run. The investment we announce today |
| commitment to new vehicle components that | | | | proves that we are investing in this vision." |
| support consumer demand for refined, | | | | According to Chrysler Group, the Kenosha plant |
| economical-to-operate vehicles for many years to | | | | will hire 700 full-time employees when it becomes |
| come." | | | | fully operational. |
| During the announcement of the retooling of the | | | | |