Fiat Chrysler Invests $74.7M, Retains 245 Manufacturing Jobs

Updated at 7 p.m.

AUBURN HILLS, MI – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will invest $74.7 million and retain 245 jobs at its Trenton North Engine Plant, where next-generation, 2-liter-four-cylinder engines will be produced.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced the investment Tuesday.

Both Fiat Chrysler and Ford will receive a combined $28 million in incentives from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the state’s economic development funding program, the Detroit Free Press reports. Ford’s incentive is estimated to be worth $27.3 million over 15 years, while a five-year exemption for Fiat Chrysler that is valued at $770,904, The Detroit News said.

• Ford Invests $1.6B in Michigan, Ohio Manufacturing Plants

Fiat Chrysler’s new engine is designed to provide additional power while at the same time improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. Production is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2017 for engines to be used in model year 2018 vehicles.

In a memo to the Michigan Strategic Fund board, the MEDC said Fiat Chrysler’s investment will be “transformational for the Trenton facility, as it would introduce a new engine platform and new technology to the plant.”

The 1.2 million square-foot Trenton Engine Complex employs 1,505 workers who build the V-6 Pentastar engines for vehicles such as the Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler, as well as components for the V-6 engine.

The four-cylinder engine production will replace the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, Fiat Chrysler said.

Image credit: Fiat Chrysler via Flickr / Creative Commons