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Chrysler Launches Indiana Transmission Plant

9 July 1998

Chrysler Corporation Celebrates Launch of New Indiana Transmission Plant

    KOKOMO, Ind., July 9 -- Hundreds of employees, along with
state and local government officials, gathered today at Chrysler Corporation's
new Indiana Transmission Plant to celebrate the successful launch of
the all-new "45 RFE" -- Chrysler's first rear-wheel drive fully electronic
transmission.
    Coupled with a new 4.7 liter engine produced at Chrysler's new Mack Avenue
Engine Plant in Detroit, the 45 RFE transmission now in production at Indiana
Transmission is slated for the all-new, totally redesigned 1999 Jeep(R) Grand
Cherokee.  Production of the new Grand Cherokee begins later this month at the
Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.  The 45 RFE transmission will also
have other future truck applications.
    "This new, 21st Century manufacturing facility was built in Howard County
because we knew we could count on the men and women of the Kokomo area to
build a world-class transmission for our all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee,"
said Frank Fountain, Vice President, Government Affairs, Chrysler Corporation.
"Literally thousands of people, including the United Auto Workers and state
and local government officials, have worked together to enable us to do what
we all set out to do -- provide jobs, strengthen the local economy and make
the best transmissions possible," he said.
    First-year capacity at the 1.2 million square-foot state-of-the-art
facility is 260,000 transmissions, with future annual capacity of 800,000
units.  Present employment for the new plant is 500, with an opportunity for
1,500 at full production.  Chrysler's total investment in the plant was
$1 billion.
    The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee sets new standards throughout the entire
sport-utility segment.  With only 127 carry-over parts from the current Grand
Cherokee, the new vehicle is designed, engineered and built to master every
imaginable day-to-day on- or off-road situation.  It will equal or better
competition in every field: on-road ride and handling, off-road capability,
refinement, style, efficiency, security and environmental responsibility.
    The 1999 Grand Cherokee is more than a sport-utility vehicle; it's a true
Jeep vehicle.  It continues the unsurpassed combination of heritage and
capability that has made the Jeep brand the most highly regarded name in the
sport-utility segment.