President Obama announces expansion of Detroit Diesel in Redford Twp., addresses Right to Work

DETROIT (AP) - President Barack Obama arrived in the Detroit area Monday afternoon. He announced the expansion of Daimler's Detroit Diesel in Redford Township. He's also expected to address his plan for avoiding the fiscal cliff.

President Obama and Detroit Diesel have unveiled a $120 million investment at the engine plant in Redford Township, Michigan. The move is expected to create 115 new jobs.

Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing were at Metro Airport to greet the president as he came out of Air Force One.

The Daimler plant will be expanded to make transmissions and axles.

During his speech, the president addressed the Right to Work controversy in Michigan. He expressed his opposition to the legislation.

Obama is scheduled to tour the plant and speak to workers before returning to Washington in the afternoon.

The Daimler Company issued--in part-- this statement:

President Barack Obama today visited Detroit Diesel Corporation to recognize that the company’s Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission and the new Detroit DD15® proprietary asymmetric turbocharger will be produced at the Detroit brand manufacturing headquarters in Redford, Michigan. 

The addition of the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission and DD15 proprietary asymmetric turbo to the full line of Detroit brand engines and axles at the facility represents a capital investment of $120 million and will result in the addition of 115 direct jobs to UAW 163, these unions represent the Detroit brand axle and engine production workers.

“The UAW Local 163 offered operational and production flexibility that enabled the decision for the DT12 and new DD15 proprietary asymmetric turbocharger production to be placed at the Detroit brand headquarters in Redford, Michigan,” said Martin Daum, president and CEO, Daimler Trucks North America. “Additionally, the State of Michigan and Redford Township provided economic incentives, a manufacturing-friendly business
environment, and a large talent pool of manufacturing workers and engineers further
driving the decision.”