FCA US announced that it will invest $74.7 million in its Trenton Engine Complex (Mich.) to retool the north plant to produce the next generation four-cylinder engine, retaining 245 jobs. The new engine will be assembled on the flexible production line that was installed in 2012.
The Auburn Hills, Mich.-designed engine will begin production in the third quarter of 2017. The engine will provide increased power, while improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions. More detailed information about the engine's specific application will be announced at a later date.
"This investment in our flexible production line at Trenton North will allow us to quickly ramp up North American production of this new fuel-efficient engine," said Brian Harlow, Vice President – Manufacturing, FCA North America.
When production of the new four-cylinder engine begins next year, it will replace the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is currently assembled on the flex line at Trenton North. Pentastar engine production will continue at Trenton South, Mack Avenue Engine (Mich.) and Saltillo South (Mex.). The Trenton Engine Complex employs more than 1,500 people.
Since 2009, FCA US has announced investments of more than $2 billion in Michigan and added nearly 15,600 new jobs, bringing total employment in the state to 35,314 (including 21,621 hourly) people.
About the Trenton Engine Complex
The Trenton Engine Complex is comprised of two facilities, a north plant and a south plant. The Trenton North Engine Plant began production in 1952 and was idled in May 2011 after producing more than 38 million engines. It reopened in late 2011 and added a flexible production line in 2012.
The Trenton South Engine Plant opened in 2008 and began production of the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 in 2009. Trenton South was awarded a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Green Building System certification for meeting the highest environmental standards. At the time of its designation in 2009, Trenton was one of only four auto manufacturing facilities to receive a LEED rating of any kind and the only engine manufacturing facility in the world to achieve the honor.
In April 2014, the Trenton Engine Complex achieved the Bronze award level in World Class Manufacturing after demonstrating clear know-how and competence in the manufacturing methodology. World Class Manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on eliminating waste, increasing productivity, and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way. WCM engages the workforce to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their plants.
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.
FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."