Fiat is planning to invest some 400 million euros into the extension of its existing plant in Bielsko-Biala, southern Poland.

As of next year the Fiat factory is to produce up to 500,000 new petrol engines annually. The new 0.9 engine from Bielsko-Biala is to be among the most modern in the world, claims the company, with technology that will increase the power of vehicles but simultaneously decrease fuel consumption.

According to initial information, the planned investment will not increase the number of workplaces, however. The factory already produces Diesel engines, but with sales declining part of the crew will be transferred to the new production lines.

Last year the plant produced some 575,000 diesel engines and in record-breaking 2007 some 700,000.

The factory in Bielsko-Biala was built in 2001-2003 at a cost of 400 million euros. Currently, the factory employs some 1400 workers. (jm)

Source: Rzeczpospolita