Area Development
Chrysler Group LLC will invest nearly $240 million to increase engine capacity and add about 1,250 new jobs at several of its Detroit, Michigan area production plants.

Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said the auto firm will invest $198 million to add production of fuel-efficient Pentastar engines at its Mack I plant in Detroit, creating up to 250 new jobs.

In addition the firm will invest $40 million at its Trenton North Engine Plant to equip the facility with a flexible assembly line capable of producing two of its most popular engine models. The firm also plans to hire 1,000 additional workers for a third shift starting Warren Truck Assembly Plant by next March.

“These new investments and new jobs are a testament to the determination we all had, management, labor and our workforce, to making the best of the second chance we were given in 2009,” said General Holiefield, vice president and director of the UAW Chrysler Department. “In partnership with the UAW, Chrysler Group is helping grow good paying manufacturing jobs and securing the future manufacturing base in this country.”

Chrysler Group recently said it was reopening its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant for production of the SRT Viper. The firm recently also added 1,100 jobs on a third crew at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.