WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) met with Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne during a meeting with Michigan’s Congressional Delegation to discuss the progress being made at the company since emerging from bankruptcy. Congresswoman Miller released the following statement after the meeting:

“I was very pleased that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne met with our delegation today to discuss progress being made at Chrysler. He reported that the painful restructuring of the company that we have all experienced is beginning to pay dividends. Chrysler was profitable in the first quarter of this year and has increased their cash position. He stressed the importance of bringing forward new products with the highest possible quality and customer satisfaction. The company will soon launch the all new Jeep Cherokee which will be the first new model released by the new Chrysler. This fall they will release 14 new or updated models. Chrysler is clearly on the way back.

“The last time I had a chance to speak with Mr. Marchionne I stressed the importance of keeping the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant open and its workers continuing to build quality products. I am pleased that since that time Chrysler has purchased the plant back from the old Chrysler and has committed to build products there into 2011. Today, I again urged Mr. Marchionne to include the SHAP as an integral part of the new Chrysler building the vehicles of the future. While he made no specific long term commitment to SHAP, he did stress the need for expanded manufacturing capacity within the United States. The fact that the SHAP has been purchased back by the new Chrysler surely makes keeping the plant open a greater possibility. It is incumbent upon all of us who represent the area to continue to make the case that this plant, and it’s incredibly skilled workforce, are indispensible as Chrysler determines its way forward.”

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