Stellantis President John Elkann speaks during the presentation of the new Fiat Panda as Fiat celebrates the 125th anniversary of its brand in Turin, Italy, July 11, 2024.
Massimo Pinça | Reuters
DETROIT — Stellantis Chairman John Elkann detailed several of the transatlantic automaker’s upcoming plans for U.S. investments as he met with President Donald Trump during a day-long trip to Washington, D.C. ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
The plans, as outlined Wednesday in an internal message to U.S. employees, included creating 1,500 jobs and reopening a factory in Illinois to build a new midsize pickup truck in 2027; build a new version of the Dodge Durango SUV that was instead planned for Mexico at a factory in Detroit; and adding more support to plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana.
“John told the President that, with our proud 100-plus year history in the United States, we plan to continue that legacy by further strengthening our manufacturing footprint in the United States and ensuring the stability of our large workforce. “American work”, Antonio Filosa, director of Stellantis. “North American Operations,” the message said.
Some of the announcements, like the midsize pickup truck being built in Illinois, were previously expected as part of a contract with the United Auto Workers union. However, they had been called into question as part of strategic decisions made by former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who campaigned for Tavares’ firing, praised the announced plans. The union had previously filed grievances and held anti-Stellantis rallies over job cuts and potential changes to the company’s production plans.
“This victory is a testament to the power of workers uniting and holding a billion-dollar company accountable. We have shown that we will do what it takes to protect the good union jobs that are the lifeblood of “places like Belvidere, Detroit, Kokomo, and beyond,” Fain said in a statement Wednesday.
The New York Stock Exchange welcomes the Jeep brand (NYSE: STLA) to the podium on May 31, 2024. To honor the occasion, Antonio Filosa, Chairman and CEO, accompanied by Lynn Martin, Chairman of the NYSE Group, rings The Opening Bell®. .
New York Stock Exchange
Elkann, a scion of the Italian Agnelli family that founded Fiat, oversees the automaker amid a search for a new CEO following Tavares’ abrupt departure in December amid falling profits, falling market share and disagreements with the company’s board of directors.
Plans for Stellantis’ Jeep complex in Ohio include “additional technologies and strong product actions for the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator” and “more critical components” for support facilities.
Investments for Indiana include production of a new four-cylinder engine, according to the memo.
“Our plans, focused on increasing market share and sales volume, involve a multibillion-dollar investment in our people, great products and innovative technology, all here in the United States,” Filosa said.
Reuters reported Tuesday that Elkann met with Trump and several senior administration officials before Trump’s inauguration, to which Elkann was invited but did not attend.
Elkann, who is also president of Ferrarireturned to Italy before the inauguration to meet seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as Ferrari’s new Formula 1 driver, Reuters reported.
Elkann is at least the second executive from one of Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers to meet or speak with Trump. Ford engine Chairman Bill Ford said earlier this month that he had a lengthy phone call with then-President-elect.
“We had a very, very long conversation,” Ford said Jan. 9 at an event for the Detroit Auto Show. “He called me out of the blue and we had a great conversation. And he understands the importance of our industry and Ford in the industry. He wants to be helpful. I think once he gets got his team together, we will probably be able to go a little further.”
General engines did not immediately respond as to whether CEO and President Mary Barra had recently met or spoken with Trump.
