Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills, Mich., announced it will invest $43 million in new equipment and tooling to expand its Kokomo Casting and Kokomo Transmission manufacturing plants.
The operations, both in Kokomo, Ind., will see the addition of 399 new positions from the investment, including up to 379 to be filled by employees called back from layoff status and 20 new hires in supervisory positions.
The investment will be used to increase capacity at the plants, adapt them to support production of Chrysler’s World Engine and improve processes for the 62TE transmission program. The World Engine, a 2.0- and 2.4-liter I-4 model used in the Chrysler Sebring and Sebring Convertible, Jeep Compass and Patriot, and Dodge Avenger, Caliber and Journey, is built at a facility in Dundee, Mich. The 62TE transmission is used in the Sebring, Sebring Convertible and Town & Country, and the Dodge Avenger, Journey and Grand Caravan.
“As Chrysler Group works to implement the business plan outlined on Nov. 4, 2009, our facilities in Kokomo will play an integral role in achieving those objectives,” said Scott Garberding, senior vice president and head of manufacturing at Chrysler.
The investment brings Chrysler’s total spending on its powertrain operations since 2007 to nearly $1 billion, according to a press release issued by the company.
