Stellantis to Resume U.S. Production After Recent Adjustments

Stellantis announced it will resume production at certain U.S. assembly plants following a temporary suspension to adjust operations. The decision comes after the company halted production of key models, including the Jeep® Wrangler (JL) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL), over the past week.

Starting Thursday, the automaker confirmed that production will recommence at its Toledo North, Jefferson, and Mack plants. These facilities are crucial to the company’s U.S. operations, as they manufacture popular models like the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L, and Dodge Durango.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the temporary production halt, which Stellantis later confirmed in a statement sent to Reuters. The automaker explained that the suspension was part of ongoing efforts to “improve operations” in the U.S. market by making necessary adjustments in production schedules. Stellantis also emphasized that it will continue to evaluate the situation to determine if further changes are needed. 

Dealers have also been complaining about excess inventory they are unable to sell.

In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a recall investigation into over 94,000 units of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe produced between 2021 and 2024. While this recall query is unrelated to the recent production pause, it highlights the regulatory scrutiny the company faces as it continues to refine its product lineup.

Stellantis has been under pressure to optimize its U.S. operations. CEO Carlos Tavares has reportedly been actively addressing these challenges, as the U.S. remains one of the company’s most critical markets. However, he faced criticism after failing to attend a scheduled visit to the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Michigan, which he had publicly criticized for quality issues. This absence coincided with a United Auto Workers (UAW) rally outside the plant.

Despite these setbacks, the company hopes to stabilize sales and overcome recent challenges with the resumption of production. However, it may take several months to see if these efforts succeed.