Chrysler Amps up Investment in Kokomo

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

Chrysler Group LLC is planning to invest nearly $270 million into boosting production at two transmission facilities in Kokomo. Plans call for new 8-speed automatic transmission manufacturing equipment and on Monday, received tax abatement approval from the city council. The city says Chrysler has pumped more than $1.5 billion into its four Kokomo plants over the last five years. December 8, 2014

News Release

KOKOMO, Ind. – Christmas comes early to Kokomo, as the Chrysler Group LLC has announced plans to invest $266 million in new manufacturing equipment in Kokomo. The investment will enable the company to expand production of its 8-speed transmissions at two of its four Kokomo plants.

Consumer demand for Chrysler’s fuel-efficient vehicles with the 8-speed transmission led to the need to increase manufacturing capacity. More than one million Chrysler vehicles equipped with the Kokomo-built, 8-speed automatic transmission have been sold.

On December 8, the Kokomo Common Council unanimously approved a ten-year tax abatement on personal property taxes for the project. The $266 million investment is for adding new equipment. The project does not involve replacing or removing any equipment.

“Chrysler's investment is one in a series of recent indicators for Kokomo's continued economic expansion,” said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. “Kokomo is thriving. Our city's economic development strategy and quality-of-life initiatives for all of Kokomo are intended to facilitate this type of private investment.”

Since 2009, Chrysler has invested more than $1.5 billion at its Kokomo transmission plants.

In 2012, Chrysler completely overhauled the 3.1 million square-foot Kokomo Transmission Plant and installed new manufacturing equipment necessary to produce the 8-speed transmission.

Kokomo is now the world's largest producer of transmissions. The company employs 7,600 at its manufacturing facilities in Kokomo.

Source: City of Kokomo