Delving into the new tariffs every other country; Compass implications? (updated)

Windsor plant

Today, the United States imposed new tariffs. The base rate is 10% on all countries and all products, but higher tax rates are being added to goods from nearly countries. South Africa was called out for special punishment, but the areas Stellantis imports cars from—Canada, Mexico, and Europe—have steep taxes as well. The new tax rate … Read more

Stellantis’ sales, in perspective: Where Mopar ranks in US sales

Kia E-GMP

Stellantis was not the only automaker to lose U.S. sales in the first quarter. Ford saw a 1.3% drop, to 501,291, far over Stellantis’ 293,225 sales. According to the Detroit Free Press, this was mostly because they dropped the Edge and Transit Connect, and changed rental-fleet sales timing. GM saw sales rise by 17%, beating … Read more

European lobbyists ACEA, Stellantis, VW, others fined $495 million for acting as a cartel

Peugeot E-3008

ACEA, which lobbies for the European auto industry and publishes regular media reports on the benefits it brings, helped 15 automakers to form a cartel to control vehicle recycling, according to the European Commission. They raided the companies three years ago and found evidence of collusion from 2002 through 2017. The ACEA organized meetings among … Read more

Fords afire and other recalls

Ford on fire recalls

Once again Ford has a fire-related recall, this time on the 2020-22 Escape and 2021-23 Bronco Sport; cracked fuel injectors may cause a gasoline-fed fire. Around 34,000 vehicles sold in the United States are being recalled, presumably along with others around the world. This recall is only for vehicles fixed under one of two earlier … Read more

Jeep Avenger 4xe is now in production

Jeep Avenger 4xe

Stellantis has started making the Jeep Avenger 4xe in its Poland plant, supplementing the battery-electric and e-Hybrid versions. The Jeep Avenger is a subcompact vehicle created for sales outside North America; the first variant was a battery-electric. It was attractive enough to win the European Car of the Year award for 2023 and to garner … Read more

Ford dominates recalls again, one Jeep entry

backup camera recalls

Ford is again dominating the recall lists, though they are not alone. The 2023 Ford F-250 and F-350 front windows may fail to reverse direction, while 2021-24 Mavericks and Bronco Sports may stall due to an undetected low battery. Rear view camera problems afflict the 2021-22 Edge, as well as the 2020-23 Explorer and Lincoln … Read more

Stella offering buyouts at 20 US locations

CTC HQ

According to the Detroit Free Press, Stellantis is shedding more union jobs at over twenty facilities, including Sterling Heights (Ram), Warren (Wagoneer), Detroit Assembly (Grand Cherokee, Durango), Toledo (Wrangler/Gladiator), the Chelsea Proving Grounds, and the Chrysler Technology Center. The deal would provide employees of at least one year seniority with a single payment and six … Read more