Published: November 05, 2009 06:11 pm      

‘Particularly close’ to Chrysler’s future

Awakening from a five-week, self-imposed information cocoon, Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled the U.S. automaker’s five-year plan Wednesday.

Seventy-five percent of Chrysler’s cars, SUVs and trucks will be brand new or altered by this time next year. By 2012, all will be made over. Four new Dodges will be introduced by 2013.

If all goes according to plan, Chrysler will see a $5 billion operating profit in 2014.

Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight was among the 400 journalists, analysts and guests attending the announcement in Auburn Hills, Mich. Marchionne last week asked the mayor to a get-together following Wednesday’s presentation.

“November 4th will be an exciting milestone day for Chrysler Group as the 2010-2014 growth and profitability business plan is first presented,” the invitation read. “As a person particularly close to the Chrysler Group’s future, I’d like to invite you to join me, along with all of the presenters, at an informal reception.”

Marchionne himself addressed and signed the invitation to Goodnight.

In July, the mayor; Howard County Commissioner Tyler Moore; Jeb Conrad, director of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, and representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. visited Turin, Italy – headquarters of automaker Fiat, which effectively controls Chrysler. Some in Kokomo criticized Goodnight for the trip.

Business retention is as much a part of economic development as landing a new company – as Kokomo did with Zuna Infotech last week. And as Goodnight pointed out in July, “the Kokomo [Chrysler] operations are probably the largest single place of employment north of Indianapolis in the state.”

Marchionne’s letter to Goodnight last week suggests Kokomo’s Chrysler facilities are a part of the company’s five-year plan. An announcement of a new transmission line could be in Kokomo’s future.