Stellantis to Lay Off Up to 2,450 Michigan Workers Amid Ram 1500 Classic Phase-Out

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DETROIT — Automaker Stellantis announced plans to indefinitely lay off up to 2,450 factory workers in the U.S. as it prepares to cease production of the older Ram 1500 Classic pickup truck at its Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan later this year.

The previous edition of the Ram 1500 was introduced in 2018, and since then, it has mostly been an affordable choice for fleet clients and entry-level consumers. The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are also produced in the Warren facility, which is close to Detroit. At a nearby location, production of the upgraded Ram 1500 for the 2025 model year will continue, with factory operations running according to schedule.

Stellantis confirmed the decision with a statement: "With the introduction of the new Ram 1500, production of the Ram 1500 Classic at the Warren [Michigan] Truck Assembly Plant will come to an end later this year." While the discontinuation of the Ram 1500 Classic was anticipated, Stellantis has not announced a replacement vehicle, raising concerns among local governments, workers, and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which represents the plant.

CNBC was recently notified by Ram CEO Chris Feuell that the Classic model of the pickup will be phased out by year's end. UAW President Shawn Fain has criticized Stellantis leadership for the layoffs and for not having a replacement car.

"Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is a disgrace and an embarrassment to a once-great American company," Fain said in an emailed statement on Friday night. "Meanwhile, Tavares jacks up his own pay by 56 percent while laying off thousands of autoworkers. If any autoworker did as poor of a job as Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, they would be fired."

Layoffs are expected to begin as early as October. The Warren plant currently employs about 3,700 hourly workers. The final number of layoffs may be lower than announced— as some employees may be offered jobs or positions at other Stellantis plants.

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