Stellantis Won’t Abandon North American Headquarters

Over the weekend, we discussed the possible sale of Stellantis North American Headquarters and Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, as reported by The Detroit News. The move would be part of a broader strategy involving 18 facilities, a shift in tandem with negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW). 

It’s important to clarify that the potential sale of the Auburn Hills complex doesn’t signify Stellantis abandoning Chrysler Corporation’s former headquarters. The complex spans approximately 5.4 million square feet. The Technical Center was established in 1991, a year later, Chrysler moved its operations there and established the complex as its global headquarters.

This renowned structure, known for its expansive footprint and the iconic Pentastar glass roof visible from I-75, may be opened up for potential sales or rentals of portions of the property. The portions of the property which would result in sales or rental, have yet to be named. According to analysts, the shift towards remote work has led to vacant offices and parking spaces, making this financial maneuver a strategically sound choice.

In 2021, Stellantis introduced its “new era of agility,” adapting to the evolving work landscape. This innovative model contemplates employees potentially spending 70% of their work hours from home, with the remaining 30% in the office. The goal is to foster greater innovation, creativity, and efficiency. This approach is being taken while evaluating the company’s real estate holdings.

Stellantis would follow in the footsteps of notable companies like Troy Kelly Services Inc., Chicago-based Motorola Solutions Inc., and Cleveland’s Sherwin-Williams Co., who have decided to divest their headquarters in favor of leasing arrangements. This injects liquidity and aligns with the ongoing remote work trend. Moreover, it opens up the possibility of channeling additional capital into Stellantis’ ventures in the electric vehicle sector, where the company has committed $35.5 billion in investments in electrification and software development by 2025.

While Stellantis hasn’t yet released an all-electric vehicle in the U.S., it has ambitious plans to unveil at least 25 electric models by 2030. The first of these is the Ram ProMaster EV commercial van, expected to be produced in Mexico for Amazon by year-end. New models like the Ram 1500 REV, Dodge Charger Daytona, Jeep® Recon, and Wagoneer S are scheduled for production before the end of 2024.

While this potential divestment makes financial sense for Stellantis, it has raised concerns among the Auburn Hills complex employees. Beyond office spaces, the site houses laboratories, engineering facilities, and design studios. Workers in various roles, including those represented by the UAW in skilled trades, engineering, and maintenance, are eager for the company to engage in discussions about the potential sale of the site.

The potential sale of its North American Headquarters and Technical Center signifies a strategic move toward forging a more dynamic and efficient future while preserving an iconic piece of Auburn Hills’ history.

Source: The Detroit News