The Detroit Free Press' Brent Snavely reported today that Chrysler plans to close its Mack Avenue Engine II plant in Detroit this September. The company plans to replace the engine built there with a different one made in Chrysler plants in Trenton, Mich. and in Saltillo, Mexico, reports the Detroit News.
On July 9, the Auburn Hills automaker informed the state of Michigan of its decision. The last day of employment for the Mack Avenue Engine II's employees will be Sept. 9. Chrysler will offer more than 200 workers there jobs at other plants, writes Snavely.
More from the article:
“Although we anticipate that there may be other employment opportunities for affected employees, these layoffs must be considered permanent,” Chrysler said in its notice to the state. Chrysler is replacing the 3.7-liter, V6 engine built at the Mack Avenue Engine II plant with an engine it builds at another plant. The engine is currently used in the Jeep Liberty and Ram 1500 pickup. “This action is in line with the company’s 2009 business plan, which showed that the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 would replace seven V-6 engine models through 2014,” Chrysler said in a statement. The 650,000-square-foot plant at 4500 St. Jean Ave. was built in 1999 and began building engines in 2000. Chrysler builds a 4.7-liter, V8 engine at the nearby Mack Avenue Engine I plant.
-Elaine Ezekiel, Michigan Radio Newsroom
