Chrysler Group Continues 'Powertrain Offensive' With Groundbreaking for New Phoenix Engine Plant in Trenton, Mich

-- Chrysler Group Phoenix Engine Plant brings $730 million investment to
                              Trenton, Mich.
-- New fuel-efficient V-6 engine family to play important role in company's
                     Recovery and Transformation Plan
         -- New plant to employ 485; production to start in 2009

   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.