Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks after Chrysler announced today that the company will locate the production of the Fully Integrated Robotized Engine (F.I.R.E.) at the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) South plant in Dundee, Michigan, which is in Michigan’s 15th Congressional District.

“With cutting edge facilities like GEMA, Michigan will continue to be the leader in the automobile industry in the 21st century. The more than 150 jobs created by the F.I.R.E. production will be a boon to Dundee and Michigan as a whole. I applaud the decision of Sergio Marchionne and Chrysler to build the engines in Dundee; it is a testament to the abilities and ingenuity of Michigan workers.  The world still sees Michigan as a place where great workers make terrific products.”

Governor Jennifer Granholm led the charge to bring the two GEMA plants to Michigan, the first of which began production in 2005.  GEMA began as a joint venture between Chrysler, Hyundai Motor Company, and Mitsubishi Motors to collaborate on the engineering and production of engines worldwide. Chrysler ultimately bought out the shares from Hyundai and Mitsubishi.  The F.I.R.E. is a series of straight 4 valve automobile engines from Fiat.  Dundee won the project in part due to the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Board approving a $4.6-million, 10-year tax credit for Chrysler in November. In exchange, Chrysler Group LLC plans to invest $179 million and create 155 jobs at its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee over the next five years. As many as 250,000 engines may be produced annually in Dundee.