Chrysler Mexico Celebrates the Inauguration of its Sixth Manufacturing Plant

With Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon, the Constitutional Governor of Coahuila State Humberto Moreira, the Minister of Economy Bruno Ferrari, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Scott Garberding, President and CEO of Chrysler Mexico Joseph ChamaSrour, Manufacturing Vice President of Chrysler México Santiago Pages, General Secretary of Chrysler Workers Union Hugo Díaz and special guests, the sixth and most modern “Centennial Saltillo Engine Plant” in Chrysler Mexico was inaugurated today in Derramadero, Coahuila. The plant begins production of the Pentastar V-6 engine as the newest concept and most advanced technology.

The dedication ceremony was also attended by Mayor of Saltillo Jericó Abramo Masso as well as executives, dealers, and a group of workers and employees of the Centennial Saltillo Engine Plant.

“This new engine Plant is constructed with the highest technology and under the most environmentally-friendly regulations,” said Garberding. “It represents an investment of $570 million dollars and an annual production capacity of more than 400,000 units.

“This engine will replace the seven V-6 engines that we currently use and soon will be replaced in the Chrysler, Ram, Dodge and Jeep_® line of products. The first application of this engine can be found on the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new Pentastar V6 Engine will improve fuel economy by 7 percent while also delivering significantly 290 horsepower and 260 lbs-Pie torque,” said Garberding.

The dedication of this new Centennial Saltillo Engine Plant, located in the Chrysler Valley, so named by Governor Moreira few years ago, allows the automotive industry to produce one of the newest engines of the Chrysler–Fiat alliance. Since its first Plant in Ramos Arizpe in 1981, the company has participated in the economic development of Coahuila and will continue selecting Saltillo to produce this high volume engine.

Integrated in to this facility is a system of 1,900 solar cells in the shape of a Pentagon. With this system, Chrysler Group will avoid sending 7,500 tons of emissions of CO2 annually. It also counts with a Waste Water Treatment Plant that allows a saving of 114,000 cubic meters of water annually.

Pages, Manufacturing Vice-President of Chrysler Mexico, recognized the advanced technology of this facility, and the effort and compromise of employees and workers, who generated and implemented 5,000 ideas to improve and resolve problems that allow the plant to generate savings with the purpose of reaching the goal of zero accidents, defects and inventory.