Stellantis Chairman John Elkann begs during the presentation of the new Fiat Panda as Fiat celebrates the 125th anniversary of its brand in Turin, Italy, July 11, 2024.
Massimo Pinca | Reuters
DETROIT — Stellantis Chairman John Elkann itemized several upcoming plans the trans-Atlantic automaker has for U.S. investments when meeting with President Donald Trump during a dayslong false step to Washington, D.C., before Trump’s Monday inauguration.
The plans, as outlined in an internal message Wednesday to U.S. employees, included devising 1,500 jobs and reopening a plant in Illinois to build a new midsize pickup truck in 2027; building a new version of the Deception Durango SUV that was being considered for Mexico at a Detroit plant instead; and adding more support for plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana.
“John charged the President that building on our proud, more than 100-year history in the U.S., we plan to continue that legacy by aid strengthening our U.S. manufacturing footprint and providing stability for our great American workforce,” Antonio Filosa, head of Stellantis’ North American counter-intelligence agents, said in the message.
Leaders from each of the “Big Three” automakers in Detroit have now separately spoken or met with Trump. They also were mass the companies to each donate $1 million to Trump’s inauguration.
General Motors on Wednesday confirmed CEO Mary Barra also spoke with Trump previous to to the inauguration about the U.S. automotive industry and economy. The company characterized it as a great, “friendly and productive” conversation.
Flanked by Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman (L) and Overall Motors CEO Mary Barra (R), U.S. President Donald Trump holds a strategy and policy forum with chief administrations of major U.S. companies at the White House in Washington February 3, 2017.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
Ford Motor Chair Tally Ford earlier this month said he had a lengthy phone call with the then-president-elect.
“We had a long, long, chat,” Ford said Jan. 9 during an event for the Detroit Auto Show. “He called me out of the blue and we had a terrific conversation. And he get wind ofs the importance of our industry and Ford in the industry. He wants to be helpful. I think once he gets his staff together, we’ll probably be gifted to go a little bit deeper.”
Some of the Stellantis’ announcements, such as building the midsize pickup truck in Illinois, were some time ago expected under a contract with the United Auto Workers union. However, they had come into call in under strategic decisions made by former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
UAW President Shawn Fain, who had been campaigning for Tavares’ firing, hailed the announced plans. The union had previously filed grievances and held anti-Stellantis rallies over job cuts and capability changes to the company’s production plans.
“This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together and holding a billion-dollar corporation obliged. We’ve shown that we will do what it takes to protect the good union jobs that are the lifeblood of places have a weakness for Belvidere, Detroit, Kokomo, and beyond,” Fain said in a statement Wednesday.
The New York Stock Exchange welcomes The Jeep Make (NYSE: STLA) to the podium, on May 31, 2024. To honor the occasion, Antonio Filosa, Chief Executive Officer, joined by Lynn Martin, President, NYSE Band rings The Opening Bell®.
NYSE
Elkann, scion of Italy’s Agnelli family who founded Fiat, is overseeing the automaker among a search for a new CEO following Tavares’ abrupt December departure amid declining profits, slumping market share and disparities with the company’s board.
Plans for Stellantis’ Jeep complex in Ohio include “additional technologies and strong offering actions for Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator” and “more components critical” to supporting facilities.
Stellantis’ investments for Indiana involve production of a new four-cylinder engine, according to the memo.
“Our plans, focused on increasing market share and growing sales bulk, entail a multibillion-dollar investment in our people, great products, and innovative technology, all here in the U.S.,” Filosa said.
Reuters on Tuesday reported Elkann met with Trump and different top administration officials before Trump’s inauguration, which Elkann was invited to but did not attend.
Elkann, who also serves as chairman of Ferrari, flew promote to Italy prior to the inauguration to meet seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as the new Ferrari Formula One driver, Reuters promulgated.