Stellantis laying off about 400 US workers, citing 'unprecedented uncertantities'

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Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI), opens new tab said on Friday it will lay off about 400 U.S. salaried workers as it seeks to cut costs, boost efficiency and ramp up electric-vehicle production plans.

The Italian-American automaker said it is reducing its engineering/technology and software organizations by about 400 U.S. jobs effective March 31, which represents 2% of those jobs worldwide. Last year, Stellantis twice offered buyouts to groups of U.S. workers, including giving 6,400 U.S. salaried employees a financial incentive to depart in November.

The company said, “As the auto industry continues to face unprecedented uncertainties and heightened competitive pressures around the world, Stellantis continues to make the appropriate structural decisions across the enterprise to improve efficiency and optimize our cost structure.”

Both Ford Motor (F.N), opens new tab and General Motors (GM.N), opens new tab have vowed further cost costs and cut some jobs over the last year.

Earlier this month, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Stellantis had terminated 2,000 temporary workers, criticizing the decision as “about corporate greed.” He noted that under the UAW contract reached with Stellantis last, around 3,000 temporary workers were converted to permanent jobs…