In a historic move, the United Auto Workers (UAW) labor union has initiated targeted strikes against the three major Detroit automakers. The strikes, which began early Friday morning, have impacted three key plants responsible for manufacturing popular vehicle models such as the Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Colorado, and Jeep Wrangler. This simultaneous action against all three automakers sets a precedent for the UAW. However, it is anticipated that Stellantis, the recently formed company resulting from the merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot, may encounter more significant challenges in reaching a resolution compared to its counterparts, Ford Motor and General Motors.
Unlike Ford and General Motors, Stellantis confronts a distinctive obstacle. The company currently possesses excess production capacity globally. To address this issue, Stellantis has announced plans to close or sell 18 of its facilities in the United States, including factories and parts depots. Nevertheless, the UAW is unlikely to accept this plan willingly, thereby complicating negotiations with Stellantis. Perhaps, the company had anticipated the possibility of a protracted strike, as it had a larger inventory of vehicles in its U.S. dealerships at the beginning of September compared to its rivals.
Differences in Inventory Levels
The automotive industry measures inventory in terms of “days’ supply,” based on the rate of sales for each model in the preceding 30 days. Cox Automotive data reveals that as of the beginning of September, Stellantis’ U.S. brands had more than 100 days’ worth of vehicles in dealer lots or in transit. In contrast, GM’s Cadillac and Chevrolet brands had 46 and 51 days’ worth of vehicles, respectively, while the Ford brand had 77 days’ worth. The industrywide average was 58 days’ supply at the start of the month. Detroit automakers tend to maintain larger supplies due to the diverse configurations available for their full-size pickups.
Differing Outlooks for Each Automaker
The strike against Stellantis is expected to be more prolonged compared to Ford and General Motors. Indications from UAW President Shawn Fain’s comments and Ford executives’ statements suggest that Ford is closest to reaching a resolution with the union. This may explain why the UAW chose to strike only a portion of Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, specifically the areas responsible for vehicle painting and final assembly. On the other hand, all UAW-represented workers at GM’s assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, and Stellantis’ Jeep Wrangler factory in Toledo, Ohio, participated in the strikes. However, General Motors may not experience an extended strike, as their final offer before the strike was reportedly similar to Ford’s proposal, including a 20% wage increase over a four-year contract term, additional vacation days, and two weeks of parental leave.
As of Friday morning, it appeared that Stellantis was preparing for a lengthy battle by expressing disappointment in the UAW’s refusal to engage in a responsible manner to reach a fair agreement. The company announced that it had already initiated contingency measures and was willing to make appropriate structural decisions to safeguard its North American operations. It is evident that Stellantis anticipates a challenging negotiation process and potential long-term consequences.
Following traditional practice, both the UAW and the automakers will pause negotiations on Friday. However, meetings are expected to resume over the weekend as parties strive to find common ground and bring an end to the strikes.
The United Auto Workers’ targeted strikes against the Detroit automakers mark a significant development in labor relations within the industry. While the strikes started simultaneously, the outcomes are expected to vary significantly among the automakers. Stellantis faces unique challenges due to its surplus production capacity and plans for plant closures. Ford appears to be closest to achieving a resolution, while General Motors might follow suit once Ford’s deal sets a template. During this period of negotiation, the automotive industry and its stakeholders eagerly await the resolution of these strikes and the impact they will have on the future of the industry.