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Missouri delegation may draw foreign automaker to idled Chrysler plant
06/18/09 12:17 PM ET
Lawmakers from Missouri are actively courting other auto manufacturers to take over their closed Chrysler plant, a member of that delegation said Thursday.
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) said that the members were looking to attract different auto companies as a backstop to idled or closing plants, raising the specter of foreign companies buying lapsed U.S. assets at fire sale prices.
"We are really going on several tracks," Carnahan told The Hill. "One, to try to continue to try to talk to Chrysler officials about the ability to use that for building a new generation vehicle."
"If they don't, we're looking for other auto manufacturers that could utilize that," he said was the other option.
Chrysler will reopen the "St. Louis North" assembly plant, but shutter the "St. Louis South" plant.
And as GM and Chrysler go through bankruptcy and downsize and Ford pares down its own production, it could easily mean a foreign automaker could swoop in and take advantage of the shut-down facility.
"Our first line of attack is working with Chrysler, the second is looking at other manufacturers, and hopefully we'll have some news on that," Carnahan said before adding Missouri lawmakers are "very seriously" looking at bringing in a new company.
GM decided to keep its plant Wentzville, Mo. open.
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) said that the members were looking to attract different auto companies as a backstop to idled or closing plants, raising the specter of foreign companies buying lapsed U.S. assets at fire sale prices.
"We are really going on several tracks," Carnahan told The Hill. "One, to try to continue to try to talk to Chrysler officials about the ability to use that for building a new generation vehicle."
"If they don't, we're looking for other auto manufacturers that could utilize that," he said was the other option.
Chrysler will reopen the "St. Louis North" assembly plant, but shutter the "St. Louis South" plant.
And as GM and Chrysler go through bankruptcy and downsize and Ford pares down its own production, it could easily mean a foreign automaker could swoop in and take advantage of the shut-down facility.
"Our first line of attack is working with Chrysler, the second is looking at other manufacturers, and hopefully we'll have some news on that," Carnahan said before adding Missouri lawmakers are "very seriously" looking at bringing in a new company.
GM decided to keep its plant Wentzville, Mo. open.
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