Ripples from the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit Big Three continues throughout the automotive community. On Friday, Stellantis put out a single sentence announcement that they would be pulling out of both the SEMA and LA Auto shows:
“As the costs of the ongoing UAW strike continue to mount, Stellantis has decided to cancel its planned display and all other presentations at SEMA (Las Vegas Oct. 31- Nov. 3, 2023) and the LA Auto Show (Nov. 16-26, 2023), as part of its contingency plan.”
For SEMA, this leaves a gaping hole in the South Hall where the traditional display of both MOPAR technology, plus JEEP and RAM offerings, plays a major role.
SEMA has already seen the OEMs reduce their presence over the last two years. Ford, which used to hold the place of honor in the central hall, ceded that central presence to Toyota in 2022 and Chevrolet Performance also stayed home for financial reasons. That space was taken over by a stunning MOPAR display highlighting the end of their current muscle car reign along with the electric Hellcat. This year, that space will be split up amongst other displays according to the SEMA map. Ford is displaying in the central hall, but according to the floor plan, it’s a display of customized EVs.
The UAW strike continues to put pressure on the auto makers, and the industry is holding its breath to see what will happen next.
I hope that the UAW International is being truthful to their members. Also, will anything be in the new contract for the Retirees? I doubt it, but it would be great if they would at least remove the “freeze” on it from 2007!