Gov. Mitch Daniels, left, walks through Cummins Plant 1 with Daimler-Chrysler representative Roger Lang following the announcement of 600 new jobs at Plant 1 today. Photo by Joe Harpring.
Gov. Mitch Daniels, left, walks through Cummins Plant 1 with Daimler-Chrysler representative Roger Lang following the announcement of 600 new jobs at Plant 1 today. Photo by Joe Harpring.
The Republic Staff Reports

Cummins Inc. will produce a new light-duty diesel engine for DaimlerChrysler at Columbus Engine Plant, creating 600 to 800 jobs.

The company expects to begin manufacturing no later than 2010.

The engine will be used in light trucks and sport utility vehicles weighing less than 8,500 pounds.

The announcement was made Wednesday morning at the plant on Central Avenue. Company officials were joined by Gov. Mitch Daniels, Reps. Mike Sodrel and Mike Pence, both R-Ind., Mayor Fred Armstrong and other government officials.

CEP, also known as Plant 1, formerly housed heavy-duty engine assembly, which Cummins moved to Jamestown, N.Y. in 2002 to increase profitability.

The company is using about half of CEP's 1.4 million square feet for machining of heavy-duty cylinder heads and blocks. The plant employs about 630.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso said the new project would occupy roughly 500,000 square feet.

The project will be the company's first foray into the North American light-duty automotive market, a segment the company for years has tried to enter.
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