June 18, 2011 9:20 AM

Chrysler Group is continuing its manufacturing growth with a new $114 million investment at one of its Trenton, Mich., engine plants and fulfilling a commitment for a new paint shop at its Sterling Heights, Mich., Assembly Plant.

 

Let's start in Downriver Detroit. Trenton, Mich., officials approved our tax abatement request earlier this week to pave the way for a $114 million investment to repurpose about 400,000 square feet of the Trenton North Engine Plant. That's about one-fifth of the plant's area. The plant closed operations last month with most effected employees being reassigned and transferred to other facilities.

 

Gradually through 2013, we expect to create an estimated 268 new jobs in Trenton North.

 

The expanded capacity will be geared to making core components for the new V-6, award-winning Pentastar engine, launched at the Trenton South Engine Plant in March 2010. The Pentastar engine is available in 10 Chrysler Group vehicles including the Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 Convertible and Chrysler Town & Country.

 

Trenton North opened in 1952, and during its history, employees there have built more than 38 million engines.

 

Breaking ground at SHAP

On Tuesday, officials and executives from Chrysler Group, Sterling Heights and the UAW will turn over some dirt to start the building process for a new paint shop at SHAP.

 

The shoveling starts at 11:15 a.m., with any media wanting to watch, record and write about the action arrive to SHAP by 11 a.m. (Link takes you to Google Maps for directions.*)

 

The ceremony and photo op celebrate the construction of a $850 million, start-of-the-art paint shop, which was announced in October 2010.

 

Executives and officials expected to dig in are:

  • Chrysler Group Vice President and Head of Assembly Operations Fred Goedtel
  • Congressman Gary Peters (D-MI)
  • Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel
  • City of Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte
  • Sterling Heights Assembly Plant Manager Tyree Minner
  • UAW Chrysler Department's Administrative Assistant to the Vice President Tim Bressler
     

  

* Media parking is in the North Employee Parking Lot. The lot entrance is immediately south of 16 ½ Mile on Van Dyke. There is a stop light at the parking lot entrance. Follow the signage to check-in table and groundbreaking site.

 

Image

Chrysler Group’s new Pentastar V-6 engine goes through the rocker arm location verification station at the Trenton (Mich.) South Engine Plant where it's made. Chrysler Group is making a $114 million investment in Trenton North Engine Plant to beef up production of core components for the V-6.