DETROIT — Stellantis GM Chairman John Elkann met with President Trump during a daylong trip to Washington, D.C., ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday to detail several upcoming U.S. investments by the transatlantic automaker.

The plans, outlined in an internal message to U.S. employees on Wednesday, include creating 1,500 jobs and reopening an Illinois plant in 2027 to build a new midsize pickup truck; building a new version of the Dodge Durango SUV at its Detroit plant (a model originally considered for production in Mexico); and providing more support to plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana.

“John told the president that, building on our proud history in the U.S. for more than 100 years, we plan to continue that legacy, further strengthen our U.S. manufacturing footprint and provide stability for our great American workforce,” Antonio Filosa, head of North American operations at Stellantis, said in the message.

The leaders of Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers have each spoken or met with Trump. They are also among the companies that have each donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration.

General Motors confirmed Wednesday that CEO Mary Barra also spoke with Trump about the U.S. auto industry and economy before the inauguration. The company called it a great conversation that was “friendly and productive.”

Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford said earlier this month that he had a long phone conversation with the then-president-elect.

“We had a long conversation,” Ford said at a Detroit Auto Show event on Jan. 9. “He called me out of the blue and we had a really good conversation. He understands our industry and Ford’s importance in it. He wants to help. I think once he gets the workforce together, we might be able to have a deeper conversation.”

Some of Stellantis’ announcements, such as production of a midsize pickup in Illinois, were previously expected under a contract with the UAW. However, those announcements have been questioned over strategic decisions by former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

UAW President Sean Fein, who has campaigned for Tavares’ firing, welcomed the plans announced. The union had previously filed grievances and held anti-Stellantis rallies over layoffs and potential changes to the company’s production plans.

“This victory is a testament to the power of workers coming together to hold this multi-billion dollar company accountable. We have shown that we will do everything we can to protect the great union jobs that are the lifeblood of places like Belvidere, Detroit, Kokomo and more,” Fein said in a statement Wednesday.

Elkann, a descendant of Italy’s Agnelli family and founder of Fiat, is running the automaker as it searches for a new CEO following Tavares’ abrupt departure in December amid falling profits, plummeting market share and disagreements with the company’s board.

Stellantis’ plans for a Jeep production site in Ohio include “additional technology and strong product action for the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator” and “more components critical to supporting the facility,” the memo showed.

Stellantis’ investment in Indiana includes production of a new four-cylinder engine, the memo showed.

“Our plans are focused on growing market share and increasing sales, and we need to make billions of dollars of investments in our people, quality products and innovative technologies in the United States,” Filosa said.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Elkann met with Trump and several senior administration officials ahead of Trump’s inauguration, which he was invited to but did not attend.

Elkann also serves as Ferrari’s chairman. According to Reuters, Ferrari’s new Formula One driver and current driver Martin Luther King flew back to Italy to meet with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton before the inauguration ceremony.
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