Stellantis has pulled out of SEMA and the Los Angeles Auto Show as the “costs of the ongoing UAW strike continue to mount.”
This is a surprising development as the SEMA Show kicks off later this month and the company had already teased two different vehicles for the event. They included a Mopar-ized Ram 2500 and an apparent electromod based on a classic Dodge Charger.
The company’s original plan for the Los Angeles Auto Show is less clear, but Automotive News is reporting that Fiat was going to unveil the US-spec 500e. The brand announced plans to bring the model to North America in 2022 and it’s slated to arrive in the first quarter of 2024.
More: Rugged Ram 2500 Teased For SEMA With Mopar Upgrades
The last minute cancellations come shortly after the automaker announced it would no longer attend CES 2024. On Wednesday, Stellantis said a contingency plan was implemented when the UAW went on strike and they’re now focusing on mitigating the financial impacts as well as preserving capital.
When the automaker bailed on CES, they announced plans to “demonstrate its transformation … through other means.” This suggests we can expect more affordable and low-key debuts in the future.
Regardless of how and when the models debut, the UAW is striking at the Toledo Assembly Complex that builds the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler. Employees are also striking at 20 additional Stellantis facilities including five in Michigan alone.
