#Stellantis

Stellantis is eying production cuts in several of its global markets, but the reasoning is different depending on where you look. In North America, the automaker may cut output to clear unsold dealer inventory, but in Europe, Stellantis may have to slash production numbers to meet increasingly strict emissions rules.

Stellantis is reportedly expanding its production capabilities in Mexico to build Ram 1500 pickup trucks. While the country has been a popular destination for automakers seeking affordable labor outside the United States, while benefiting from North American trade regulations, the decision is not likely to improve the strained relationship between the automaker and the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Rumors continue to swirl that Stellantis will cut a brand. We've already asked you which brand the company should cut -- now we're asking if the company will cut a brand. And if it does, which one will it cut?

Stellantis has had a rough time. The company’s sales have tumbled, leading it to search for a new CEO, but despite the rumors of it killing off one or more of its brands, the automaker won’t make a decision on which ones stick around for at least a few more years.

CEOs don’t always have the longest tenures at the helm of public companies. The pressures of growing shareholders’ value and managing thousands of employees often cut many executives’ time short. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is now approaching the end of his time at the top, as the automaker recently confirmed that he would retire at the end of his contract in early 2026.

Ram overhauled the full-size 1500 pickup truck for the 2019 model year, making it one of the most compelling models in its class, but it didn’t kill off its predecessor. The automaker continued selling the prior-generation pickup alongside the new model under the Ram 1500 name. Its absurdly long run on the market has come to an end, however, as keen internet forum users found an image of the last Classic to roll off Ram’s production line.

Ram is recalling nearly 130,000 examples of the 1500 pickup due to issues with the self-canceling turn signals. As recalls go, this one is a minor safety issue with any legitimate risks being mitigated by an attentive driver. However, it does put the affected vehicles out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). It likewise doesn’t help the brand improve its reputation for reliability after Ram was forced to recall over nearly 1.3 million pickups over electrical gremlins just last month.

The Chrysler Voyager is returning to the retail market for the 2025 model year as the value variant of the Pacifica. While it lacks the looks and some of the features of its more luxurious sibling, it’s priced $2,500 lower and seems to be arriving at a point where shoppers might be more willing to re-engage with minivans due to their relative affordability. If you have a family and can only afford one new automobile, having something as versatile as a van might not be the worst idea.

Stellantis is going through it. Recently, reports have suggested that company CEO Carlos Tavares could be on his way out, as the automaker has struggled financially for much of this year. Now, we’re learning that the company plans to initiate layoffs at one of its Michigan facilities, though the number of impacted workers is small compared to actions taken by rival automakers.

As one would expect, there will be a raft of grille designs; shown here are ones featuring brightwork on an otherwise color-keyed trim plus a burly dark-hued effort on the Rebel trim. All have the trademark ‘nostrils’, now aligning with the upper edge of the headlamps from which a spear of running lamps are drawn.

The United Automobile Workers(UAW) is presently beefing with Stellantis leadership and has yet to let up. On Monday, the union filed federal unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board over claims that the automaker has refused to provide information regarding product commitments outlined in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement. The UAW is concerned that Stellantis will attempt to move Dodge Durango production out of the United States — which it says would also be a violation of the aforementioned union agreement.

Today I have a 2024 Dodge Durango Alchemi (we're not going to follow Dodge's capitalization on this one, we typically don't follow the OEMs' style, though there are exceptions) parked in my garage.

It's one of only 1,000 that will be/have been built.

The Italian government has given Stellantis hundreds of millions of dollars to build a battery plant, but the country may pull that funding if the automaker doesn’t firmly commit to the project. It warned that it would move funds elsewhere if the company isn’t willing or able to follow through on its promise to build the facility, but the joint venture between Stellantis and others delayed the factory and others earlier this year.

Dodge continues to stretch the Hemi.

The next few years will be make-or-break for Rivian. The automaker plans to release a handful of new models over that time, but it will do so without its current VP of manufacturing. Tim Fallon is leaving the company for “greener pastures” at Stellantis, where he will take over the North American head of manufacturing role.

Rivian confirmed Fallon’s departure yesterday. He spent two years at the automaker and 16 years at Nissan before that. Fallon’s move comes at a time when Rivian and Stellantis are hoping to get new models out the door. Rivian is looking to its upcoming R2 and R3 vehicles as its volume sellers going forward.