Chrysler Invests $114 Million In Trenton Engine Complex

AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) Chrysler is reopening a downriver engine plant, less than a month after that facility had closed its doors.

Two days after the Trenton City Council approved a tax abatement, Chrysler announced that it's investing $114 million in its Trenton Engine Complex, and reopening the Trenton North Engine Plant.  This will create 268 new jobs.

Trenton North will build components that will go into the Pentastar engine being produced at the new Trenton South plant.  That plant launched production of the engine in March of 2010.

"As Chrysler Group moves to replace seven V-6 engines with the new Pentastar V-6, it has become necessary to add capacity on core components in order to meet the production demands of this new engine," said Brian Harlow, Vice President and Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, in a statement. "This investment has also given Trenton North, which has been building engines for nearly 60 years, a new lease on life."

Chrysler will only be using about one-fifth of the more than two million square feet of production space at Trenton North, which ceased operations in May.

Trenton's Mayor, Gerald Brown, issuing a statement thanking both Chrysler and the Trenton Council.

"My administration worked very hard to come to an agreement that will provide the City with long term stability at the site, additional jobs and tax base improvements while further enhancing the relationship that Trenton and Chrysler have enjoyed since the 1950s. Trenton truly is Chrysler Town and we are proud of it."

The Pentastar engine being made in Trenton was recently recognized as one of Ward Automotive's "Ten Best Engines."  It's used in ten 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