Washington, DC - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri, joined by a bipartisan coalition of regional Members of Congress, is petitioning the Chief Advisor to President Obama’s Domestic Automobile Taskforce to save the Chrysler Fenton plant as part of the administration's soon to be announced auto industry restructuring recommendations. 

In a letter to Steven Rattner, Chief Advisor to the U.S. Treasury’s Auto Task Force…Mr. Clay, along with Congressman Russ Carnahan (D) Missouri; Congressman Todd Aiken (R) Missouri; Congressman Jerry Costello (D) Illinois; and Congressman John Shimkus (R) Illinois, wrote:

“Chrysler has a long and proud history of producing automobiles, trucks and vans in Fenton, MO.  The men and women at the Fenton facilities helped Chrysler survive its darkest hours.  The workforce at this facility has been idled for the past five months. This is deeply troubling as they have received numerous awards for productivity, quality and safety, as well as operating one of North America’s premier minivan plants for the past two years. 

Additionally, the plant was retooled in 2007 to incorporate flexible manufacturing capabilities, giving the facility the ability to build many different automobiles.  This plant can also produce automobiles for the European market.  The body shop was also redesigned and nine hundred state-of-the-art robots were installed.  With these upgrades, the facility has the most advanced production capability in the Chrysler system.  It is estimated that this facility could resume production in sixty days.”

General Motors and Chrysler are seeking additional federal funds and are working to meet viability requirements included in their previously approved bailout plans.   The Obama administration is expected to announce its auto industry restructuring recommendations on Monday and the St. Louis regional congressional delegation is pushing hard to ensure the future of Chrysler-Fenton.