Stellantis N.V. Halts Windsor Production Amid U.S. Auto TarriffsStellantis N.V. (NYSE: NYSE:STLA ) has announced temporary shutdowns at its Canada and Mexico plants in response to new U.S auto tariffs. These actions come shortly after the U.S. government imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles.
The automaker will pause operations at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada for the weeks of April 7th and April 14th. Production is scheduled to resume the week of April 21. Meanwhile, its Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico will stop vehicle production for the entire month of April.
Despite the shutdown, employees in Toluca will continue to report to work and receive their salaries. However, the production halt has triggered ripple effects in the U.S.
Tariffs Prompt Job Cuts Across Five U.S. Plants
The shutdowns will result in temporary layoffs at five Stellantis facilities in the U.S, affecting about 900 workers. The impacted plants include Warren Stamping, Sterling Stamping, Indiana Transmission, Kokomo Transmission and Kokomo Casting.
Stellantis stated it would monitor market conditions and make further decisions if necessary. In an internal memo, COO Antonio Filosa explained that these changes are necessary due to the evolving trade policies. He assured workers that the company remains in close contact with government leaders, suppliers, unions and dealers.
The job cuts come after President Trump implemented auto tariffs aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing. The administration expanded the baseline tariff on all imports to 10%, with a specific 25% hike on auto imports. Canada has since matched the U.S move by placing reciprocal tariffs on American vehicles.
Local union president Romaine McKinney III called the layoffs “pure devastation.” These developments contradict previous promises to boost job creation within the U.S. Following the announcement, Stellantis stock fell 9.3% on April 3. Other automakers, including GM, Ford and Tesla also experienced similar declines.
As of 4th April, STLA closed at $9.72, down 4.80% for the day. The stock has dropped sharply recently, from a 52-week high of $27.56 to the current price.
Technical Analysis: Price approaching Critical Long-Term Support
Looking at the overall trend of the stock, it has been making new higher highs and higher lows. But since hitting the 52-week high at 27.56, the price has been retracing and is close to the previous market structure low.
Close to the low, a key ascending trendline around $8 has held for several years. The price looks ready to retest the key support trendline for the third time and potentially reverse. This is a key level to watch. A clean break below this point could trigger a further downtrend.
However, if the price gets support at this level, it will rally towards a new high, potentially above $30. However, immediate resistance is seen at $12.5. An uptrend structure remains intact as long as the stock holds above the long-term trendline.
