Fiat representatives reportedly impressed with Chrysler's Kokomo facilities

ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

Representatives from Italian automaker Fiat SpA toured the four Kokomo Chrysler plants and were reportedly impressed with the facilities.

Fiat announced Thursday it would form a partnership with Chrysler LLC that is expected to return the American automaker to profitability.

Fiat has agreed to share its engine and powertrain technology with Chrysler and intends to produce an economical model in the U.S.

Shawn Fain, a representative with United Auto Workers Local 1166, said the tour took place about a month ago.

"They were impressed with the facilities," Fain said of the Kokomo Transmission Plant, Kokomo Casting Plant and Indiana Transmission Plants I and II. "They wanted to see the facilities to determine if we had the capacity to do the work."

Fain said he has toured casting plants in Europe, and the Kokomo Casting Plant is bigger than those in Europe.

"There were no commitments made, but the possibility is there," he said. "The hope is we will pick up some more product work."

Fain described the tour as informational focusing on capacity at the plants. He said the Fiat representatives saw a lot of machinery not being used.

"We want to be a part of their game plan," he said. "We are making gains on the Phoenix V-6 engine, which is the future of Chrysler. The hope is to see jobs created."

Congressman Joe Donnelly, D-2nd District, said he didn't participate in the tour but has been informed by Chrysler representatives that Fiat was thrilled.

"The plants in Kokomo are state of the art," Donnelly said. "There are two new plants."

Donnelly said there is the hope of investment in Kokomo in the future as a result of the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat.

"Kokomo is a perfect fit for what they are trying to do," he said.