Stellantis Lays Off 900, Halts Production Amid New Tariffs

Stellantis has announced the temporary layoff of 900 workers across five U.S. facilities, alongside halting production at plants in Canada and Mexico, in response to a new 25% import tariff on automotive vehicles imposed by the Trump administration. The affected workers primarily work in powertrain and stamping plants that support assembly operations. Stellantis’ COO, Antonio Filosa, stated that the company will assess the long-term effects of these tariffs while describing immediate actions as necessary. The layoffs coincide with a reported 12% decline in Stellantis’ U.S. sales during the first quarter, contrasting sharply with rising sales figures for competitors Ford and GM. Additionally, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made vehicles, further complicating the situation for Stellantis. The United Auto Workers union criticized the layoffs as an unnecessary decision impacting workers' livelihoods.