Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAutomaker DaimlerChrysler AG’s discussions about developing a dual-clutch transmission with supplier Getrag has resulted in the German companies signing a non-binding agreement, DaimlerChrysler said this morning.
The Getrag project is part of a planned $3-billion investment in new engines, transmissions and drive trains to make vehicles more fuel-efficient, DaimlerChrysler said. Chrysler has relied on trucks and sport-utility vehicles to fuel profits—a failed strategy after gas prices spikes in the past couple of years.
Several Indiana communities—including Kokomo, Frankfort and Tipton and Miami counties—are vying to land any plant that might result, the Kokomo Tribune has reported. The $560 million facility might employ 1,200.
However, that was about the only good news in today’s statement.
DaimlerChrysler said it will lay off 2,000 white-collar workers and 11,000 blue-collar workers in an attempt to restore profits by 2008.
An assembly plant in
Edgy Chrysler workers for days have anticipated today’s announcement as the “Valentine’s Day Massacre” for its drastic job cuts.
The company also said it is looking into strategic options, but stopped short of saying the Chrysler division would be sold.
Chrysler closed an engine block foundry on the
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.