Chrysler Still Closing Michigan Plant
October 1, 2009 by Mark Ellis
Filed under Business
Despite hopeful rumors that Chrysler had changed its mind about closing down a plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the plans to shut down the plant. The plant, which will be completely shut down by the end of 2010, employs 1,300 workers.
In the two years leading to Chrysler’s April 30th bankruptcy filing, Chrysler shed 35,000 jobs in an attempt to cut costs as Chrysler and other automakers feel the heat of the recession. Hundreds of workers and their families turned out to rally against the closure of the plant and the termination of their jobs to no avail.
U.S. sales of Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge vehicles were down 42 percent in September compared to the year before, signaling the urgency of Chrysler’s need to cut costs. However, Marchionne has released several statements attesting to the financial strength of his company despite the various unfavorable statistics that have been released.
Image: Flickr
