(June 15, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (PRNewswire) — Chrysler today announced that it would invest $114 million in new equipment at its Trenton Engine Complex to support increased production of the Pentastar engine. The investment is estimated to create 268 new jobs.

The investment will be used to repurpose about one-fifth or nearly 400,000-square feet of the Trenton North Engine Plant, which ceased operations in May 2011, for the production of core components for the Pentastar engine produced at its sister plant, Trenton South.

Trenton South launched the new Pentastar engine in March 2010, which is now available in 10 Chrysler Group vehicles. The Pentastar engine was recently recognized by Ward's Automotive as one of the "Ten Best" for 2010.

"As Chrysler Group moves to replace seven V-6 engines with the new Pentastar V-6, it has become necessary to add capacity on core components in order to meet the production demands of this new engine," said Brian Harlow, Vice President and Head of Powertrain Manufacturing. "This investment has also given Trenton North, which has been building engines for nearly 60 years, a new lease on life."

"We want to thank the City of Trenton for approving our tax abatement request and their continued support," said Harlow.