Chrysler to Hike U.S. Output of Pickups, Engines

Chrysler Group LLC says it will spend about $240 million and add 1,250 jobs at three Detroit-area plants to boost production of fuel-efficient engines and Ram1500 fullsize pickup trucks by unspecified amounts.

The company's truck factory in Warren, Mich., will add a third shift in March. Sales of the Ram truck jumped 20% to 238,800 units in the first 10 months of this year. The brand launched a redesigned 1500 late last month.

Chrysler's Mack I facility in Detroit will begin making the 3.6-liter, V-6 Pentastar engine in early 2014.

The company will install a flexible production line at its Trenton (Mich.) North plant that will be able to build the Pentastar engine and an I-4 powerplant.