Kenosha, Wis., plant to get Chrysler V-6 program

David Barkholz
Automotive News
June 11, 2007 - 10:46 am

The Chrysler group has selected its Kenosha (Wis.) Engine operation for the third and final engine plant it will build for a new generation of V-6 engines codenamed Phoenix.

Chrysler announced the decision to retool the 1.9-million-square foot plant today. A formal announcement is set for Wednesday in Kenosha.

Kenosha joins Trenton (Mich.) Engine and Saltillo, Mexico, as the sites for production of the new fuel-efficient V-6 engines.

The decision is a blow to Toledo (Ohio) Machining, whose union workers made work-rule concessions last year for a shot at the program.

The new Phoenix plants are part of a $3 billion powertrain investment that Chrysler is undertaking to upgrade its technology. Each Phoenix plant will be capable of making 440,000 engines a year. Production is set to begin in 2009. The investment at Trenton will be $730 million while the Saltillo investment is set to be $570 million.