-- Chrysler Group Phoenix Engine Plant brings $730 million investment to Trenton, Mich. TRENTON, Mich., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marking another significant milestone in the progress of its Recovery and Transformation Plan, Chrysler Group hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today at the site of the future Trenton (Mich.) Phoenix Engine Plant. Scheduled to begin production in 2009, the $730 million investment will produce a new family of fuel efficient V-6 engines, known inside the Chrysler Group as "Phoenix" engines. The Trenton Phoenix Engine Plant is part of the company's $3 billion Powertrain Offensive announced in February. On hand for the groundbreaking ceremony were Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Trenton Mayor Gerald Brown, UAW Vice President General Holiefield and other public officials. They were joined by Chrysler Group executives. "Today's groundbreaking ceremony commemorates an important growth milestone for Chrysler Group and for the City of Trenton," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "Constructing our new plant at this site also confirms the commitment of Chrysler Group to investing in the communities where we do business and supporting economic development throughout the State of Michigan. This new plant will enable us to develop products that are designed to meet changing consumer tastes for more fuel efficient vehicles." The Trenton Phoenix Engine Plant will be situated adjacent to the Trenton Engine Plant, on Van Horn between Fort Street and Jefferson. The 822,000-square-foot Trenton Phoenix Engine Plant will have an annual manufacturing capacity of 400,000 to 440,000 engines. "These engine plants help cement Michigan's position as the world's leader in automotive innovation and excellence and show what can happen when state and local governments work with business to make our state competitive," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "From investing in our workers to creating a business-friendly climate throughout the state, we are working every day to attract new automotive companies and other industries that will bring jobs and grow here in Michigan." Once the plant is fully operational, Trenton Phoenix Engine Plant will employ 485 full-time workers. "We appreciate the confidence Chrysler Group has shown in its workforce by this continuing investment in powertrain operations, which will help preserve good-paying manufacturing jobs," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President, who directs the union's DaimlerChrysler Department. "UAW members at Trenton are 100 percent dedicated to quality, and we're excited to participate in building the next generation of fuel-efficient engines for Chrysler's great line-up of vehicles." The Trenton plant will have a competitive labor agreement that incorporates Smart manufacturing initiatives and flexible CNC-based machining, volume-bundled parts purchasing, volume-bundled capital investment and standardized tooling. Over the long term, the Phoenix family of V-6 engines will reduce manufacturing complexity by paring the Company's four current V-6 engine architectures to one. The total cost of the building, land improvements and equipment represents one of the Company's largest capital investments ever in the city. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group has invested $4.4 billion in its Southeast Michigan manufacturing operations since 2003. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Curtrise Garner, +1-248-512-2712, or cell, +1-248-761-8309, , or David Elshoff +1-248-512-2690, or cell, +1-248-797-2300, , both of Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

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