Stellantis to Cut 2,450 Workers as Ram 1500 Classic Production Ends

End of the Road for Ram 1500 Classic

Stellantis, the automaker, has announced that it will be cutting 2,450 workers from its Warren Truck plant near Detroit. This decision comes as production of the Ram 1500 Classic comes to an end. The plant will now focus on building the Jeep Wagoneer.

Transition to the Tradesman

The Ram 1500 Classic, which has been a budget option for customers, will be replaced by a value-optimized version of the modern 1500 called the Tradesman after the 2024 model year. This transition will be seamless for Ram buyers, but it poses challenges for the workers who build the Classic.

Changes at Warren Truck Plant

Warren Truck plant currently employs around 3,900 people, with 3,700 of them represented by the UAW. With the end of Ram 1500 Classic production, the plant will switch from a two-shift pattern to a one-shift pattern for general assembly. However, other operations will continue with two shifts to support Wagoneer production. Union members affected by the layoffs will receive 52 weeks of unemployment benefits and two years of healthcare coverage.

The End of an Era

The Ram 1500 Classic has been in production since 2009 and has been powered by the legendary 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine. However, with the introduction of the new 1500, the Hemi engine will be replaced by the turbocharged Hurricane inline six for the 2025 model year. Stellantis claims that the new engine offers lower running costs.

Continued Sales and Pricing

Although production of the Ram 1500 Classic is ending this year, Ram dealers will still sell leftover inventory into the 2025 model year. The current base-spec 24MY 1500 Classic with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is priced at $38,705, while the least expensive version of the 2025 1500 Tradesman has an MSRP of $40,275.