Peter B. Alpern

Cummins announced it will be temporarily closing its Columbus MidRange Engine Plant (CMEP) in Walesboro, Ind., as a result of Chrysler’s decision last week to idle its manufacturing operations while it undergoes bankruptcy reorganization.
CMEP is the sole manufacturing site for the 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine used in Dodge Ram pickup trucks. The plant will close effective May 15 and be down until Chrysler resumes pickup truck production.
Chrysler’s Dodge Ram manufacturing plant in Saltillo, Mexico, which closed on May 4, is expected to be idle for at least four weeks and Chrysler has indicated that its entire manufacturing operation could remain closed for nine weeks or longer.