Stellantis has recently made the tough decision to withdraw from two prominent auto shows, the SEMA Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show, citing the ongoing strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union as the primary reason. This move comes on the heels of their earlier cancellation of participation in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) scheduled for early 2024.
The UAW’s strike against Stellantis has brought forth a range of challenges, pushing the automaker to reevaluate its commitments to major industry events. Stellantis has chosen to implement a contingency plan that involves canceling their planned displays and presentations at both the SEMA Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show. The primary point of contention revolves around the UAW’s demand for increased wages and improved benefits for Stellantis employees, a request that the automaker has thus far refused to meet.
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The decision to withdraw from these auto shows is not taken lightly by Stellantis, but it’s seen as a necessary step to conserve capital and ensure the company’s financial stability. In fact, the situation has become so dire that Stellantis is considering the sale of 18 of its facilities in the United States, a move that could potentially impact the production of popular models like the Jeep Wrangler. However, the decision is viewed as a crucial step in the effort to maintain the company’s financial viability.
The withdrawal from the SEMA Show is particularly noteworthy because it means that brands like Jeep and Dodge will miss out on the exciting aftermarket displays that are a hallmark of the event. Stellantis’s in-house parts and accessory division, Mopar, had previously teased the introduction of a new Ram 2500 concept. Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, it is unlikely that this mystery truck concept will make its debut in Las Vegas.
Similarly, the Los Angeles Auto Show will also bear the brunt of this decision, as it will lose several Stellantis brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram. This comes as a significant setback for an event that was poised to be the “strongest event” for the automotive industry since its resurgence from the pandemic. Notably, the anticipated return of the Jeep Wrangler in its facelifted 2024 form will be missed by attendees.
Despite Stellantis’s absence, both the SEMA Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show will go on as scheduled. The SEMA Show is set to take place from October 31 to November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Auto Show is scheduled to open its doors from November 17 to 26, and it will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California.
