Mack Avenue Engine Complex

Mack Avenue Engine Complex is a 110-acre (45 ha) Chrysler automobile factory in Detroit, Michigan. The original factory ("Old Mack") was originally built in 1916 by the Michigan Stamping Company. When Michigan Stamping was sold to Briggs Manufacturing in 1920, Briggs made bodies there for Plymouth, Ford, and others. Chrysler Corporation bought Mack Avenue and 11 other plants from Briggs in 1953, and continued to use it as a stamping plant. In 1979 a financially hurting Chrysler closed the now outdated factory and all but abandoned the site, which became derelict, overgrown, and a toxic brownfield. The city of Detroit bought it in 1982, but was unable to find a purchaser or afford environmental remediation for the site, and returned it to Chrysler. In 1990 Chrysler began cleanup and demolition of the old plant, and built a new factory on the site ("New Mack"). ^[1] The factory floor space covers 1,400,000 square feet (130,000 m²).^[2] It was the original production site for the Dodge Viper, from 1992 through 1995 when the Viper moved to Conner Avenue Assembly. It was converted into an engine plant in 1998, with the additional 650,000 square feet (60,000 m²) of "Mack Engine II" added in 1999.^[2] The total employees of both factories are about 1,300, which are represented by UAW local 51.^[2] On April 9, 2013 Mack Engine I produced the last PowerTech 4.7 L V8 engine and is to switch to Pentastar V6 production. To switch to Pentastar production, 197 million dollars will be invested in Mack Engine I and up to 250 jobs are to be added.^[3]

Current products:

• Mack Avenue I
  • Chrysler Pentastar engine V6
• Mack Avenue II (closed since September 9, 2012)

References