Salute to

and its workers

Feb. 23, 2011 F1

Go big or go home
Big day, big news,
big investment
by Tim Turner
digital media manager
tturner@kokomoperspective.com

wo of the

T
reason.
biggest

pened on the
same day for the same
new
stories to hit
last year hap-

President
Barack Obama came to
check out how the fed-
eral bailout money was
benefitting Kokomo on
the same day that
Chrysler announced it
was making almost $1
billion in new invest-
ments.
That money changed the
course of Chrysler in
Kokomo and breathed new
life into a community that
two years earlier had al-
most been a ghost town. BIG MOMENT — President Barack Obama met
Some of the most promising Chrysler workers when he came to town.
words about the new in- Perspective photo / File
vestment weren’t from new jobs, no matter what,"

politicians trying to paint a
rosy picture; they came
from Chrysler’s chief exec-
utive.
"For years, Kokomo has
been at the center of our
“Imported from Detroit” powertrain strategy and the
potential of an additional in-
larger than life vestment reaffirms that po-
sition," said Sergio
Marchionne, CEO, Chrysler
About 200,000 Building wrap facts Group LLC. "When intro-
duced, this new front-wheel
drive transmission, along
drivers and with the previously an-
passengers •The Chrysler 200 featured in the nounced eight-speed trans-
mission we will also
building wrap is 116 feet wide by 145 produce in Kokomo, will
along the I-75 feet tall transform our future prod-
•Its grille is 51 feet wide ucts and position them as
will see it daily •The badge on the Chrysler 200 grille is leaders in marketplace.”
“With the promise of in-
hrysler brand is 31 feet in length vesting more than $1 billion
“
said Richie Boruff, UAW
Local 685 president. "When
For years, you switch volumes to the
new product, there will be a
Kokomo has been manpower ramp-up. We're
at the center of
our powertrain
excited. The skilled trades
guys are going to have more
work than they know what
strategy ...
to do with. The corporation
hasn't come out and said
exactly what is going to
With the promise
of investing more
happen. Sergio said the
$843 million is a commit-
than $1 billion into ment for a new transmis-
sion to be built here. We
our Kokomo believe, from the discus-
sions we've had and every-
facilities ... we are thing that transpired, we're
demonstrating our going to get an eight-speed
rear-wheel-drive transmis-
commitment to sion and a nine-speed front-
wheel drive transmission."
this community Obama said that

C showcases its
new tagline and
2011 Chrysler
200 on its head-
quarters’ tower.
“Imported from Detroit,”
the Chrysler brand’s new
•Headlight is 32 feet long
•Its hood measures 44 feet in length and
85 feet in width
•Its windshield is 66 feet wide and 20
feet long
into our Kokomo facilities
within the last six months,
we are demonstrating our
commitment to this com-
munity and our dedicated
workforce," Marchionne
said. "We appreciate the
and our dedicated
workforce.

tagline and the 2011
Chrysler 200 continues to
make a larger-than-life en-
trance into the mid-size
market.
The tagline and the vehi-
WRAP– F4
•The side-view mirrors are each 9 feet
wide and 7 feet long
•The Chrysler brand logo is 98 feet wide
•The building wrap covers 14 stories of
the Headquarters’ tower
•It took three days to place the wrap on
the tower
support of the UAW and the
city of Kokomo, and look
forward to continuing a
partnership that will see the
Chrysler Group once again
become a successful and
competitive enterprise."
Local union officials
were optimistic that the in-
”
Chrysler’s investment in
Kokomo was giving the en-
tire country hope.
“But even as we continue
to face serious challenges,
what's happening here at
this plant -- the changes
Sergio Marchionne we're seeing throughout
Kokomo -- are signs of hope
CEO,
and confidence in the fu-
Chrysler ture, in our future, to-
gether,” said Obama.
“You're showing us the way
forward. You're living up to
vestment would change
Kokomo’s job outlook.
"There are going to be INVEST– F4
Kokomo Perspective Feb. 23, 2011

F2 Salute to Chrysler 2011

Kokomo Casting Plant workers put it together

Paul Nibert (left) and John Gillem (right) inspect a casting.

Bob Wilkey works in Department 928

at the Kokomo Casting Plant.
Roxanne Bryan trims a part at the Kokomo
Casting Plant.

Photos by
Emily
Summers
and Steve Jennifer Adams pays attention
Geiselman Dave Young, who works in Depart- to detail as part of the third shift
ment 329, trims a part. at KCP.
 Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective

Salute to Chrysler 2011 F3

KCP employees make it a team effort

Richard Hurr works on bell deburr in the KCP. Brian Nuff is part of the third-shift team at the Kokomo Casting
Plant.

Greg Hill and Kevin Roark (right) talk it

Ray Marple is a caseline operator at the over at the Kokomo Casting Plant. Mica Beard works in Department 687 at
Kokomo Casting Plant. the Kokomo Casting Plant.
Photos by Emily Summers and Steve Geiselman
Kokomo Perspective
F4
WRAP
continued from page F1
cle made their debut in a
first-ever, two-minute ad-
vertising spot on Super
Bowl Sunday. On Feb. 17,
the Chrysler brand un-
veiled its latest entry to
the mid-size segment on
the front of the Chrysler
Group Headquarters in
Auburn Hills, Mich.
Workers, early this
morning, put the finishing
touches on the massive
building wrap featuring an
image of the new vehicle
and the brand’s new
tagline. The wrap covers
almost the entire west side
of the company’s 15-story
headquarters.
“The 2011 Chrysler 200
is a vehicle designed with
purpose, it has beautiful
shapes and incorporates
the utmost attention to de-
tail,” said Olivier Francois,
president and CEO,
Chrysler Brand, Chrysler
Group LLC.
“This new mid-size
sedan delivers on a prom-
ise to our customers to be
the very best of American
design combined with a
Feb. 23, 2011
value proposition that will
exceed their expecta-
tions.”
The building wrap is
part of an overall market-
ing campaign for the 2011
Chrysler 200 sedan which
includes the new tagline
for the brand, “Imported
from Detroit.”
“The new tagline was
created to convey the mes-
sage that one does not
have to cross an ocean to
obtain luxury, its available
right here,” Francois
stated.
The Chrysler brand mar-
keting campaign highlights
the rejuvenation of the en-
tire product lineup, which
includes the new, re-
designed and repackaged
2011 200 sedan and 200
convertible, the highly an-
ticipated Chrysler 300
sedan and the innovative
Chrysler Town & Country
minivan.
Each day, approxi-
mately 200,000 drivers and
passengers along the Inter-
state 75 in Auburn Hills
will be able to view the
new 2011 Chrysler 200 and
the brand’s new tagline.
Source: Chrysler Group
LLC
Salute to Chrysler
Goodnight talks about what Chrysler
means to the City of Firsts
by Tim Turner
digital media manager
tturner@kokomoperspective.com
Kokomo mayor Greg
Goodnight has had the
weight of this community
placed on his back as he
tries to rebuild a relation-
ship with one of the largest
employers in the state.
Goodnight took a trip to
Italy to try to build a rela-
tionship, and he has fought
for tax abatements to help
make the company prof-
itable.
Goodnight sat down with
the Kokomo Perspective to
discuss Kokomo’s largest
employer and what the cor-
poration means to the City
of Firsts.
Kokomo Perspective: De-
scribe the importance of
Chrysler in shaping what
Kokomo is and what it will
be in the future.
Goodnight: Obviously it is
our largest employer. I re-
mind people it is the largest
private employer in the state
of Indiana north of Indi-
anapolis. The significance
goes well beyond Kokomo
and well beyond Howard
County. It is a regional em-
ployer. When you look at the
money that is tied to that ei-
ther directly or indirectly,
through payroll and benefits
or contractors or subcon-
tractors, it is extremely im-
portant.
It obviously spills over
many times. Unfortunately,
they have had to vacate and
downsize in other cities
throughout the Midwest.
The fact that they are here
and doing well is something
we are very proud about.
KP: At your campaign an-
nouncement for re-election,
UAW Local 685 president
Richie Boruff introduced
you and he was almost in
tears. The UAW seems to
have a very intimate rela-
tionship with the city and its
administration. Describe
how important the UAW
workers are to this commu-
nity.
GG: One of my favorite
stories with the UAW is back
when the financial crisis
first began. My first year as
mayor I went to a Christmas
party the UAW put on for
some neighborhood kids
and poor people in the com-
munity. While we were there
it was on the eve of Con-
gress deciding whether they
would give the bridge loans
to the automotive industry. I
thought it was a compelling
story that while a lot of
these volunteers and people
INVEST
continued from page F1
that spirit of optimism and
determination -- that grit --
that's always been at the
heart of who we are as a
people, at the heart of
America.”
U.S. congressman Joe
Donnelly said that the fu-
ture for the U.S. economy
was in Indiana.
“This is proof that Amer-
ican companies recognize
that we have the best work-
force in the country right
here in north central Indi-
ana and that investing in
Hoosiers is the way to
move our economy for-
ward,” said Donnelly.
So it was no surprise that
Chrysler kept announcing
new investments in
Kokomo, and that the
Kokomo Common Council
kept giving the company
tax abatements.
Each time Chrysler offi-
cials spoke about their
commitment to this com-
who donated and provided
munity.
this event for the neediest
Brian Harlow, vice presi-
people in the community
dent and head of power
their very livelihood was in
train manufacturing for
the hands of some legisla-
Chrysler, attended one of
tors in Washington, D.C.
the meetings.
Even though their future
"I really want to tell you
was very uncertain, that
how much Chrysler appre-
night they were doing what
ciates what president
they could for people who
(Mike) Kennedy, as well as
were in a worse situation. It
the rest of you councilmen
tells a lot about the UAW
and women, and the
and the employees that
mayor's office as well," said
work here.
Harlow. "You are just out-
KP: How important is the
standing to work with. We
UAW to local charities?
very much appreciate your
GG: None of them would
support and help all
meet their goals without the
through the time. I know re-
UAW employees. They are
alistically that when things
always at community
got tough for all of us, we
events. When I was much
put the city in a difficult po-
younger, I used to look up to
sition because as we went
them and admire.
bankrupt obviously our rev-
KP: A lot of those guys
enue stream stopped and
you admired have been pro-
so did yours from us. You
moted to state, regional, and
were very patient with us
national positions with the
and worked with us, and
union. How does it reflect
we have been able to solve
on our community that our
much of that."
local leaders are called to
Harlow said the tough
serve the union at a higher
times turned out to be ben-
level?
eficial for Chrysler.
GG: It is really positive. It
"I think it is important to
says a lot about the locals
understand this. The odd
here and their leadership. It
thing about all the trouble
obviously provides a good
the bankruptcy brought, we
training ground for them.
were on a pathway with the
There have been a lot over
leadership at the time
the years from Delphi,
where Kokomo would have
Haynes, and Chrysler.
been at best a skeleton of
what it is today and what it
will be with the passage of
all this," said Harlow. "The
oddity of all that is the
bankruptcy changed the
leadership and the leader-
ship has a completely dif-
ferent view."
Harlow also added, "We
are grateful to mayor Good-
night and the Kokomo City
Council for their continued
support of Chrysler Group.
These investments demon-
strate our commitment to
this community and our
workforce. We look for-
ward to continuing a part-
nership that will secure
Kokomo's position as the
center of our power train
strategy."
In total, Chrysler is in-
vesting $1.3 billion in
Kokomo through three dif-
ferent investments.

Casting plant scores big with Pentastar
Kokomo’s aluminum engine setting benchmark for quality worldwide; plant will fully turn over product line by 2013
by Patrick Munsey
staff writer
pmunsey@kokomoperspective.com
okomo is a
K
transmission
town. That’s
what is made
here, and
Chrysler has won numer-
ous quality awards for its
work in the City of Firsts.
Now, the Kokomo Casting
Plant (KCP) is branching
out in a big way.
KCP won the contract to
cast the company’s first alu-
minum engine block — the
Pentastar 3.6-liter V6. And
the quality work of the men
and women of Chrysler al-
ready is turning heads.
That’s just the beginning,
however, as two new trans-
missions will be cast in the
plant along with a smaller
3.2-liter version of the Pen-
tastar. Things will be busy at
the casting plant.
“In the next three years,
we have three new products
coming in,” said Mike Love,
KCP launch manager. “Of
course, we’re in the middle
of the Pentastar launch right
now. We were approved ini-
tially to get 400,000 engine
blocks in an even split be-
tween us and another plant
in Mexico. We’ve since been
approved to go to 700,000
volume, which means that
eight die-cast machines will
be converted to engine
block cells.
“Six are up and running
now. The seventh will be
starting maybe this week,
and the eighth will be a few
weeks after that. We’re at
the tail end of the launch.”
The volume increase was
no accident or random deci-
sion. The Kokomo product
is performing remarkably
well. According to Paul
Olsen, engineering and qual-
ity center manager for the
KCP, the casting plant is set-
ting the standard for every-
one else to follow.
“We launched with quality
problems, but we took a dif-
ferent path to solve them,”
said Olsen. “It may have
been more difficult, but we
have far exceeded in quality
by a factor of three. We’re
seeing the results at the
Trenton engine plant. We’re
running less than two-per-
cent scrap right now, which
is phenomenal for a high-
pressure aluminum engine
block.
“That’s what won us the
extra business, along with
the ability to deliver the
product. We came up with
design changes and process
changes that really im-
proved the quality. There
isn’t a lot of people doing
aluminum engine blocks.
There are three in North
America, and two of them
are third-tier suppliers. We
think we’re the benchmark
for quality, maybe for the
world. It’s hard to compare.”
Hitting a high level of
quality might be easier with
brand-new die-casting ma-
chines specifically designed
for engine production, but
KCP doesn’t have that lux-
ury. Instead, every machine
putting out a Pentastar had
to be retrofitted and re-
tooled from transmission
production to making en-
gines. The same will hold
true for the eight-speed and
nine-speed transmissions
that are scheduled to launch
at KCP between now and
2013.
“It’s not adding new
equipment, but it is a lot of
refurbishment work,” said
Love. “The programs re-
place most of our older pro-
grams. Between the engine
block and the two transmis-
sion programs, we’ll roll
Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective
Salute to Chrysler F5
over 90 percent of what we
make today into new prod-
uct. It’s a huge task. We’re
supposed to be at full ca-
pacity on the Pentastar in
June. We’ll run the first
products on the rear-wheel
drive in the November-De-
cember timeframe. It does-
n’t launch at the vehicle
plants until July 2012. From
December to July, we’ll
ramp up to full volume. The
front-wheel drive doesn’t
launch at assembly plants
until April 2013. We’ll be
running product starting
May 2012 on that. We’ll be
completely turned over by
the first couple months of
2013.”
Transmissions and en-
gines don’t come out of the
die-caster pre-assembled.
Love said that KCP will pro-
duce three castings for the
rear-wheel transmission and
five for the front-wheel. As-
sembly will take place at
Kokomo Transmission Plant
and Indiana Transmission
Plant I, respectively. Making
all of this happen is a very
short timeframe is no sim-
ple task.
“It’s a huge challenge for
the plant in terms of re- PENTASTAR — Gary Willis works on an engine block.
sources to launch three Perspective photo / Steve Geiselman
products simultaneously,”
said Love. “There is a lot of “Our customers could
people involved in it. The care less how the Pentastar
UAW is heavily involved in engine was made,” said
the planning and on our Love. “The end product is a
launch teams.” lesser weight, which brings
Putting out hundreds of better fuel economy. That’s
thousands of engines and the benefit the customer
transmissions each year re- sees.
quires a lot of resources. “If you get V6 in a
KCP currently pours Chrysler product, you get a
700,000 pounds of molten Pentastar. Our engine and
aluminum a day. That’s transmission will be in al-
more than what is poured in most every car Chrysler
the entire United Kingdom. makes. There is a part from
Kokomo is the world’s Kokomo Casting in ever car
largest consumer of alu- Chrysler makes. An engine
minum. But that’s just a sta- bracket, a cover, a trans-
tistic. mission or an engine.”
 Kokomo Perspective
F6
Chrysler’s lineup at Button Motors
Dodge Chrysler Jeep and Ram
by Lisa Fipps
managing editor
editor@kokomoperspective.com
t doesn’t matter how
I
much blood, sweat
and tears the leader-
ship and workers put
into Chrysler if no one
buys the vehicles. But they
are buying them. They’re the
hottest products on the mar-
ket right now. The Kokomo
Perspective recently talked
to Rex Gingerich, CEO of
Button Motors Dodge
Chrysler Jeep and Ram,
about the products.
Kokomo Perspective:
What's Chrysler's lineup for
2011 look like? What are
some of the brand new vehi-
cles?
Gingerich: Chrysler has
truly taken it to the next
Feb. 23, 2011
level when we look at the
2011 lineup of vehicles! In
the fall of 2010, the release
of the all-new 2011 Jeep
Grand Cherokee was the
first of many product
launches to come from
Chrysler. It was a great suc-
cess. The Grand Cherokee is
truly a vehicle that knows
no limits and it has done ex-
actly that in terms of sales
for the company and has
driven consumers to our
showrooms in the quest for
driving the legendary SUV.
This winter we began to
see the offerings that will be
delivered this year by
Chrysler LLC. The all–new
redesigned 2011 Dodge
Avenger and the all-new
2011 Chrysler 200 have
landed! We have ample in-
Salute to Chrysler
ventory of these vehicles
and are excited to say that
they are very affordable and
Chrysler has outdone itself
with the quality and engi-
neering of the sedan group.
In mid-February we will
begin to show consumers
exactly what “Strength in
Numbers” means with the
promotion of Truck Month.
Chrysler will debut our 2011
lineup of Ram trucks. From
light duty to heavy duty
work trucks, there is sure to
be a new 2011 Ram to fit
consumers’ wants and
needs. Consumers will get a
first look at the Laramie
Longhorn, new to the Ram
lineup. February also brings
the excitement of speed
back to the roadway with
the release of the 2011
Dodge Charger.
I am excited to see cus-
IMPORTED FROM DETROIT — The auto world is buzzing about the Chrysler 200,
tomers visit Button to see
the all of the power the 2011
above, and the Charger, below.
Perspective photos / Chrysler
Dodge Charger has to offer!
Dodge has brought back a
fan favorite to their lineup,
and I must say that Kokomo
and the surrounding area are
very excited to get back in
the drivers seats of the 2011
Dodge Durango. Missing
from the Dodge lineup for
several years, the Durango is
back with bold force and is
poised to lead the SUV mar-
ket for years to come. The
Chrysler lineup will top off
the spring introductions of
2011 with the unveiling of
the all-new 2011 Chrysler
300/300C and the 200 Con-
vertible.
As you can see, Chrysler
is back and delivering a host
of luxuries at affordable
prices in every product seg-
ment. Whether you want an
SUV to hit the trails, a sedan prove its performance. Button, our top priority is safety and security technol-
to achieve optimum fuel per- Kokomo Perspective: you. Chrysler vehicles are ogy that helps to keep you
formance or a truck to What are some of the trends loaded with innovative tech- and your passengers out of
tackle your toughest project right now with Chrysler ve- nology that helps make driv- harm's way.
Chrysler has engineered it hicles, such as safety fea- ing easier and more
and Button is the place to tures, environmental, etc.? enjoyable. But, they're also
Gingerich: At Chrysler & designed with advanced LINEUP– F7

LINEUP
continued from page F6
With a multitude of colli-
sion avoidance and occu-
pant protection features
built into each vehicle, rest
assured that our No. 1 focus
is always you. Though you
can't see them, advanced
multistage front airbags and
supplemental side curtain
airbags are standard on
most vehicles. Working in
conjunction with the three-
point integrated restraint
system and engineered
crush zones, your passen-
gers are surrounded by mul-
tiple layers of protection.
Crush Zones are designed
to compress during an acci-
dent, crush zones in the
front of your vehicle and
door beams in the sides help
absorb excess energy and
decrease transfer of that en-
ergy to occupants.
Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) monitors steering
input and vehicle motion. It
senses when there's a dif-
ference between your in-
tended path and the actual
path of the vehicle. It then
applies selective braking,
and sometimes reduces en-
gine throttle, to help guide
your vehicle back on to your
intended path.
The Blind Spot Monitor-
ing System feature assists
you by monitoring the blind
spots of your vehicle. A vi-
sual indicator in the side
mirrors notifies you of a ve-
hicle entering your blind
spot area. If you activate
your turn signal to change
lanes and a vehicle is lo-
cated in your blind spot, a
visual and audible alert
helps warn you to double
check your blind spot be-
fore changing lanes.
Rear Cross Path Detec-
tion is an accident avoid-
ance feature uses
strategically placed sensors
designed to detect if vehi-
cles are approaching the
rear of your vehicle when
backing up. The system
helps you monitor the hard
to see angles to the left and
right of your vehicle while
backing out of a visually im-
paired parking spot.
Finally, the Rear Park As-
sist System creates sound
waves helping to detect
nearby objects in and
around your vehicle's path
when in reverse. Tight
space? Audio-visual indica-
tors will alert you to the
proximity of most larger,
stationary objects that
could be in your way.
Kokomo Perspective:
What are some of the pur-
chase and lease options?
Gingerich: Chrysler has
“delivered” when it comes
to presenting consumers
with an array of financing
options and leasing options
allowing their new products
to hit the road with great
numbers. In February, we
can offer consumers fantas-
tic rebates in conjunction
with bonus cash to reduce
the remaining 2010 inven-
tory on our lot. The 2011’s
have unbeatable offers such
as 0 percent financing for 60
months on select models
and leasing options a plenty!
No matter if you drive 10K
miles a year to 15K and be-
yond, we have a leasing pro-
gram to suit you! This
brings me to say, LEASING
IS BACK!!! Chrysler contin-
ues to present a host of re-
Feb. 23, 2011 Kokomo Perspective
Salute to Chrysler F7
bates and incentives to in-
troduce their vehicles to
families who have chosen
competitors in the past and
offers to retain their loyal
consumers! We truly have it
all!
Kokomo Perspective:
What are some of the
changes?
Gingerich: In 2010, dealer
groups began to develop our
showrooms to elevate our
performance to a standard
that is comparable to the
factory standards of per-
formance. We call ours
“Dealer Standards,” and our
goal is to create an environ-
ment that is true to what our
products and services are
worthy of. We strive to
achieve the best in all as-
pects of our business and
want to ensure a “WOW” ex-
perience with every cus-
tomer that walks into our
showroom, every time they
visit! It is our promise to
you and Button is poised to
deliver!
Kokomo Perspective:
Which models purchased
would best support the local CAN’T WAIT TO DRIVE IT — Rex Gingerich said he can’t wait to drive the new Dodge Durango.
Perspective photo / Chrysler
workers, meaning which
models have locally-made
transmissions?
Gingerich: Purchasing a
Chrysler vehicle brings a
sense of pride to our local
community. Nearly every
transmission that is on the
road in a Chrysler vehicle
has a special touch from our
Kokomo workers. Driving a
Chrysler vehicle is a great
way to show your support
of our local economy and
our friends and neighbors.
Specifically, every transmis-
sion that is made for a
Chrysler vehicle, except the
Jeep Compass, Patriot, and
Dodge Caliber, is made right
here in Kokomo. Matter of
fact, Sergio Marchionne told
us in November when he
visited the dealership that
more transmissions will be
built right here in Kokomo
than anywhere else in the
world. The Chrysler work-
force has so much to be
proud of and is truly world
class, our community has so
much to be thankful for.
Kokomo Perspective:
What are the warranties
like?
Gingerich: Button
Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
has an exclusive program
that offers a Lifetime Pow-
erTrain Warranty on virtu-
ally every new and pre
owned vehicle we sell. We
are proud to provide this at
no cost to our consumers
and believe it to be a nice
enhancement to the factory
warranty provided by
Chrysler.
Kokomo Perspective:
What is in your garage?
Gingerich: I am currently
driving a 2011 Jeep Grand
Cherokee Overland, pow-
ered by a HEMI transmis-
sion built right here in
Kokomo. I have been so im-
pressed with this vehicle.
The fit, finish, feel and inte-
rior are amazing and to top
it off it is drop dead gor-
geous. I consistently find
myself using the navigation
system, rear parking assist,
and the adaptive cruise con-
trol. My kids especially
enjoy the satellite TV. It has
been a long time since I was
this excited to drive a new
vehicle. I love it! I am look-
ing forward to driving a
brand new 2011 Dodge Du-
rango.
Page F8 Kokomo Perspective February 23, 2011