Area Development
As part of its bankruptcy filing, Chrysler LLC has identified five plants that are slated to be closed by the end of 2010, according to USA Today. The company plans to close an assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, that makes the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger and the Detroit-Conner Avenue plant that makes the Dodge Viper; the St. Louis North assembly plant in Missouri that builds the Dodge Ram pickup; the stamping plant in Twinsburg, Ohio; and an engine plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin. CNN reports on its website that the Missouri plant is likely to close in September of this year, the Ohio plant in March 2010, the Wisconsin plant in October 2010, and the Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility in December 2010; the Conner Avenue plant and the Viper brand are already up for sale. Chrysler lists nearly 4,700 jobs at these plants, but a company spokesperson tells USA Today that the company will offer positions to the displaced workers at other Chrysler facilities as jobs become available. Other plants in Michigan, Delaware, and Missouri will also be closed, but those shutdowns had previously been announced. Chrysler will idle nearly all of its plants during the 30- to 60-day bankruptcy period.