Summary:
The “Detroit Three”—Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler (now Stellantis)—have long dominated the U.S. auto industry, but their operations are now global. While Chrysler doesn’t manufacture vehicles in China, Ford and General Motors do, importing models like the Lincoln Nautilus and Buick Envision.
General Motors saw strong demand for Buicks in China, leading to the development of the Buick Envision there. In 2016, GM began importing it to the U.S., despite tariff threats from the Trump administration. Ford originally built the Lincoln Nautilus in Canada but shifted production to China when retooling its Ontario plant.
Chrysler Corporation, now part of Stellantis, has undergone significant mergers. First with Fiat in 2012 and later with Peugeot in 2021. Although it still engineers and manufactures vehicles in the U.S., Stellantis is headquartered in Amsterdam. It has major investors from Europe, with only a small stake held by U.S.-based BlackRock.
Several Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models are built in the U.S., such as the Jeep Wrangler (Toledo), Ram 1500 (Michigan), and Grand Cherokee (Detroit). However, many vehicles come from plants in Canada and Mexico, including the Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger EV from Canada and the Jeep Compass and heavy-duty Ram trucks from Mexico.
Stellantis also employs thousands of white-collar workers in the U.S., spanning engineering, software, and marketing. However, in early 2024, the company laid off 400 employees in its engineering and tech divisions. This was part of a broader consolidation. The extent of future U.S. job retention remains uncertain. Despite its American manufacturing presence, Chrysler’s deep integration with European investors and global operations raises questions about its identity as a U.S.-based automaker.
Motor Biscuit
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