Chrysler has announced an extended holiday shut down at some North American factories as it retools for new vehicles to be produced in 2010. Although the shutdown will reduce overall supply, Chrysler is in desperate need of a lineup refresh. Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois plant will extend its holiday shutdown through the week of January 4th. The Belvidere plant produces the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass and Patriot, all of which are due for a refresh.

In Ontario, Canada, Chrysler will close its Brampton and Windsor plants through the week of January 11th. The Brampton plant is ramping up to produce new versions of the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 while the Windsor plant is preparing for heavy updates to Chrysler’s minivans. Chrysler will also add a week shutdown at its Toluca, Mexico plant during 2010 so that plan can prepare for production of the Fiat 500.

Via LeftLaneNews

The Italian invasion of America’s auto industry has begun. Starting next year, Chrysler will begin building Fiat’s1.4-liter, Four-cylinder Turbo FIRE Engine in the United States. It’s good news for the residents of Auburn Hills, Michigan, and those working in local auto factories. The motor will be produced under the supervision of Chrysler-Fiat at the Midwestern plant.

Chrysler’s Dundee facility will create 155 new jobs to compensate, bringing in a total of 573 for the entire project. The plant will have an annual capacity of 100,000 engines, but you won’t ride with any in the States. Fiat’s FIRE is being built for Mexico’s Fiat 500 units. Wait, aren’t the Mexican’s supposed to build things for us? Press Release follows:

“Chrysler Group LLC Introduces Fiat’s 1.4-liter, In-line 4-cylinder, Fully Integrated Robotized Engine with Multiair Technology to Powertrain Lineup

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 17, 2009 – Chrysler Group LLC will debut Fiat’s 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder Fully Integrated Robitized Engine (FIRE) featuring Multiair in the Fiat 500 starting in 2010. The engine, well-suited for a small car application, delivers 100 horsepower (75 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb.-ft. (129 N•m) of torque at 4,250 rpm. A turbo version also will be available in future applications. The 1.4-liter FIRE features Fiat’s Multiair technology, which significantly reduces emissions while improving fuel economy and power delivery.

The 1.4-liter FIRE features four valves per cylinder and incorporates state-of-the-art technology for Fully Variable Valve Actuation (FVVA), also known as MultiAir. Multiair is a sophisticated technology that delivers an increase in power up to 10 percent and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions up to 10 percent when compared to similar engines. A turbo version of the engine is also planned and will produce a fuel economy improvement up to 25 percent when compared to a V-6 engine with equivalent power.

The MultiAir system consists of electro-hydraulic variable valve actuators filled with conventional oil, which is interposed between the camshaft and each valve. A solenoid valve is energized every 360-degree camshaft rotation, regulating the quantity of oil addressed to the actuator or to a reservoir. The lift of the valve is a function of the quantity of oil addressed to the actuator, ranging from full lift to complete valve closure. Each solenoid valve may also delay application of the actuator in advance, leading to late valve opening or early valve closing.

MultiAir is exclusive for Chrysler Group in North America and is based on a series of Fiat Powertrain patents related to hardware, combustion strategies and controls that allow for full control of the lift and timing of engine valves.

In the early 1970s, robotics in assembly plants was not common. The term “FIRE” came into existence when Fiat integrated the use of robotics in the production process of manufacturing plants. Although mechanized assembly is commonplace today, the brand name FIRE has remained with Fiat’s powertrain lineup.

The 1.4-liter FIRE with Multiair is the world’s first mass production engine to incorporate such technology to control the intake valves. Dedicated components have been developed to accommodate four “bricks” (one for each cylinder), which package relevant components. MultiAir technology can be adapted to different types of engines, including Diesels for enhanced NOx control, and is planned for Chrysler Powertrain’s four-cylinder World Gas Engine and all-new Pentastar V-6.”

The Source: WCF

Levin feels no deal this big should happen without a department of the United States Government overlooking the joining of companies, mostly because of a suffering automotive job market that is already infecting the Midwest. “If they need support to make some kind of a merger between Chrysler and another auto company happen, we clearly ought to do that,” said Levin at a recent debate. Along with other representatives from the region, Levin hopes the Feds can come in and support additional job training, unemployment benefits and general help so families can cope with job losses.

“We need to be prepared to help the people that may be losing their jobs. … You have a lot of people very worried about their jobs. Democrats or Republicans, we are all in the same boat. We need to do what we can to help,” this according to U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter. Since GM’s (unofficial) plan is to phase out similar models between their line up and Chrysler/Dodge (guess which side they’d stick with) assembly line cuts and closings may be in the near future for an already struggling regional economy.