Stellantis Suspends Operational Factory In Detroit, Here's Why

Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Doc. Stellantis)

JAKARTA - Bad news came from auto giant Stellantis. The company, which houses 14 brands in the world, announced that the Detroit Assembly Complex plant, United States (US) will suspend its operations next week.

According to a report by The Detroit News, Thursday, April 24, Stellantis will stop the operation of the factory that produces Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango as the company's latest factory cuts in recent weeks.

Not only that, the Mack and Jefferson plants located in East Detroit will also stop production over the week starting April 28, while the Mack facility is also scheduled for a week-long holiday starting May 19.

The company's notice sent to Mack's workers said that some types of employees working in painting and repairs were still expected to report.

Stellantis said in a statement that the plant's shutdown was related to the transition to the latest 2026 model Grand Cherokee to be released by the end of this year, although the timing was not definitively explained.

This is because the company also said that it plans to extend the production of the 2025 version of the SUV for now.

"To support successful launches and ensure the highest quality of the new model, we extend the production of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2025 at the Detroit Assembly Complex plant. As a result, both the Mack and Jefferson factories will experience a quiet week on Sunday, April 28," Stellantis wrote.

In addition, production at several Stellantis factories has been reduced in recent weeks after the 25 percent car import rate set by US President Donald Trump came into effect in early April.

The automaker stopped production at two main assembly plants, namely in Mexico and Canada. This also triggers around 900 layoffs while in several production and production facilities in America.

The Tolluca Assembly Plant facility in Mexico that produces Jeep Compass and Jeep Wagoneer S also remains out of service until the end of this month.

Meanwhile, the Windsor Assembly Plant plant in the US, which produces Chrysler minivans and Dodge Chargermen, continued production over two shifts on Tuesday after two weeks off, so thousands of employees who have been laid off can temporarily return to work.