Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says its previously-announced $400 million investment in Kokomo will create nearly 200 jobs and retain 1,000 more. The automaker plans to repurpose an idled transmission plant in the Howard County city into what will now be known as the Kokomo Engine Plant. The facility will produce the GMET4 engine, which is used to power the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee. 

FCA says it is relocating the production of the engine to Kokomo from its current operations in Turmoli, Italy. Production on the engine is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2021. “The GMET4 will be a very important engine for us as we look to deliver on the promises we made as part of our five-year plan in 2018,” Mark Stewart, chief operating officer for FCA North America, said in a news release.