From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2010 3:39 PM
Subject: What the governor is talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about Today
Monday, April 12, 2010
 
Governor Continues Investment Mission, Meets in Italy with Fiat/Chrysler Group and Magneti Marelli CEOs
 
The governor today continued her investment mission, meeting with Fiat S.p.A and Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne, and Magneti Marelli S.p.A. President and CEO Eugenio Razelli and Magneti Marelli USA President and CEO James Rosseau in Turin, Italy.  The governor thanked both companies for their past commitment to Michigan and made the case for additional investment and jobs in the future.
 
The governor and Marchionne discussed several issues, including his turnaround plan for Chrysler and the company’s electrification strategy.  The governor thanked him for his recent commitment to invest $179 million in the company’s Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance engine plant in Dundee, expected to create 155 new jobs, and congratulated him on the opening of the company’s $730 million engine plant in Trenton which will employ 500 at full capacity.
 
In January, the governor announced that Magneti Marelli, a subsidiary of Fiat Holdings, will invest $4.5 million to consolidate and expand its Michigan operations and create 200 new jobs.  The governor thanked Razelli for choosing Michigan over Tennessee and North Carolina and explored opportunities to attract additional Fiat suppliers to the state.
 
Between the company meetings, the governor addressed approximately 25 executives from Italian auto suppliers at a National Association of the Automotive Industry (ANFIA) luncheon where she highlighted Michigan’s automotive research and development strengths and diversification efforts.
 
The governor’s trade mission now continues on to Germany.  In Germany, meetings are scheduled with executives from various divisions of the Bosch group; MITEC AG, a global auto propulsion technology company; Kostal, a manufacturer of electromechanical and mechatronic products; and Daimler.  Approximately 100 company officials, government leaders and members of the German press are expected to attend a reception in Stuttgart co-hosted by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Stuttgart Region and the Byrnes Institute where the governor will discuss Michigan’s focus on clean-energy manufacturing and jobs.
 
Key messages:
 
•  The governor’s meetings in Italy confirmed that Michigan is well-positioned to continue to win the lion’s share of investment from global companies looking to expand in the North American market.  Our competitive business climate, manufacturing strength and commitment to growing new technology sectors make Michigan the perfect place for international investment and job creation.
 
•  This trip to Italy and Germany is the governor’s tenth overseas investment mission since 2004.  Her previous missions to Austria, Belgium, Germany, Israel, Japan, Jordan and Sweden have resulted in 47 companies announcing more than $1.6 billion in new investment in Michigan and 12,995 (7,344 direct) jobs created and retained.
 
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