Trenton Engine Complex to Temporarily Halt Production Next Week

Approximately 20,700 Finished Pentastar Engines Are In Storage...

Robert S. Miller August 16, 2024

Stellantis Trenton South Engine Plant. (Stellantis).

The Stellantis Trenton Engine Complex in Trenton, Michigan, will temporarily shut down next week to balance engine inventories, the automaker announced. The facility, which produces Pentastar V6 engines used in various Chrysler, Jeep®, and Ram vehicles, will pause operations while workers are temporarily laid off.

The Trenton Engine Complex spans 822,000 sq. ft. and occupies 136 acres. It produces two main variants of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine: the Classic version for the Ram 1500 Classic and the Upgrade version for the Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Gladiator. The plant currently employs 672 people, including 564 hourly and 108 salaried workers. It is represented by United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 372, 412, and 889.

The shutdown comes as Stellantis grapples with an excess inventory of engines. “Our bank of engines is a little bit high right now,” said Dave Gerbi, President of UAW Local 372. As of this week, approximately 20,700 finished engines are in storage, contributing to the decision to halt production temporarily. Gerbi noted that while the shutdown is a setback, the end of the Ram 1500 Classic production is not expected to significantly impact the plant’s operations.

This move is part of a broader trend of temporary cutbacks across Stellantis plants. Earlier this summer, the company implemented similar measures in Warren and Toledo to adjust inventory levels amid a 16% decline in U.S. sales compared to the first half of 2023. The situation is further compounded by a permanent layoff announced for the Warren Truck Assembly Plant, affecting up to 2,450 workers due to the discontinuation of the Ram 1500 Classic.

The Trenton Engine Complex has been an essential part of Stellantis’ engine production strategy since 2007 when it began manufacturing the Pentastar engine. The plant underwent a $24.7 million retooling investment in 2022 to enhance its flexibility in engine production. Despite these recent challenges, the facility’s role in powering a range of models, including the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, remains crucial.

Source: The Detroit News

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TripleT Aug 17, 2024 #1

What is the next powerplant slated for Trenton? Looks like HEV will give the engine some new life, but ultimately it will be sent to pasture.

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bill burke Aug 17, 2024 #2

High salaries and benefits should and must translate into high quality or the UAW’s position on contract negotiations will be destroyed. The political endorsement by union leadership for the upcoming presidential election more than likely could further erode and complicate this situation. The costs of union labor and the infusion of a questionable political agenda that plays to one party that obviously is not supported by the majority of membership gives Stellantis concerns and issues that need immediate evaluation. Are we bringing our best, most qualified workers to the arena or are we risking everything by championing mediocrity and unrealistic expectations? Well are you UAW ??
The ball now rests with UAW leadership that must either control costs, vastly improve worker skills and outcomes and reflect the philosophical thinking of members or face the inevitable negative results. Time to bring policy in line with reality.
We call that “Job Number 1”.

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patfromigh Aug 17, 2024 #3

As someone who built tooling for the automobile industry, and saw some of the employee training to use the new work stations, let me say that quality is up to the management more than the workers on the line. Despite my Calvinist leanings, I believe the majority of people want to do a job with the tasks they are presented with. People take pride in doing a good job. A common question I have been asked in interviews is, "What should be done to motivate employees?" My answer was, "The workers come to work motivated and management drains it out of them." (BTW, I didn't get the promotion. I wonder why.)

Toyota took their eye off the ball and now have to replace a Billion Dollars worth of V6 truck engines. The rear doors on the new Prius pop open in wet weather. The door latches on the Prius are a design problem. The debris from a machining process not being properly removed is a process problem. Why did it take so long to catch the problem? The workers on the line were probably too busy trying to keep up to notice.

This is worth repeating, so I will post here as I did somewhere else.

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Bili Aug 17, 2024 #4

@patfromigh

Where is failure prone PSA sourced 1.6 litre engine slated for production?

patfromigh Aug 18, 2024 #5

@patfromigh

Where is failure prone PSA sourced 1.6 litre engine slated for production?

It should have been here by now. What the rest of the drivetrain looks like for the next Jeep Compass and Cherokee hybrids remain a mystery. The Pacifica PHEV hasn't been seriously updated since it was introduced. The Pacifica hybrid minivan is to hybrids similar to what the Nissan Leaf is to battery electric vehicles. Both are one time innovative class leaders that weren't updated enough to avoid obsolescence, while the parent company slips into oblivion.

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