Slowing down. Stellantis is slowing down in China and idling a plant in Illinois. Both are decisions by the CEO to focus on efforts to become the world's largest automaker by sales amid rising EV costs. The company says it will make every effort to place laid-off workers, but expects them to be out for at least 6 months.
Self Driving. Changing plans and priorities left the room to acquire one of the world's leading autonomous driving software developers. AiMotive has been developing AI tech for the automotive industry since 2015 and will help Stellantis reach its Dare Forward 2030 goals. No financial details were disclosed.
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Pay now, drive later. Dealers in the UK have reported Stellantis is forcing them to register new cars despite the vehicles being stuck in ports. The registration would force customers to pay up to 3 months of installments on vehicles they cannot drive. Stellantis seems set in the decision. UK Senior VP, Paul Wilcox, admitted the carmaker has caused friction and acknowledged it did ask dealers to register vehicles.
Some reports say dealers have been asked to retrieve cars from the ports on their own, with threats to bonuses and allocations if Stellantis demands are not met.