Stellantis Cancels SEMA and LA Auto Show Displays Blaming UAW Strike

Just last week, Mopar was promising to electrify the crowds at the huge Specialty Equipment Market Association Show scheduled for October 31-November 3, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now, Stellantis has canceled its planned appearances at SEMA, the important Los Angeles Auto Show and the massive CES 2024 show, planned for early January. Mopar was planning to display some of its accessories for electric vehicles at SEMA and was expected to reveal a refreshed 2024 Ram 1500 at the LA Auto Show. The automaker had not suggested what it planned to show at CES 2024. Last year, it unveiled the 2025 Ram 1500 REV EV at CES 2023.

The automaker, which owns Ram, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Fiat, issued a tersely worded announcement.

“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.”

Canceling Important Public Outreach

In the past, Ram and Jeep have both had significant displays at SEMA. SEMA is the largest aftermarket accessories show in the world. Often some of the concept versions displayed at SEMA ended up as special customized packages that buyers could order on their favorite vehicles.

The Los Angeles Auto Show has become more important over the last two decades, as automakers court the “Hollywood set” and trendy buyers. The LA Auto Show is also where automakers unveil their greenest or eco-friendly offerings. Camp Jeep is typically huge at the LA Auto Show and it gives the public an incredible opportunity to ride in its 4xe models.

These large shows are huge undertakings. The displays for each of these venues can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Plus, all of the vehicles have to be professionally transported. Several people are paid to monitor, clean and maintain the vehicles while out at the different locations. Obviously, Stellantis is slashing costs where it can as the UAW strike drags on.   

Stellantis Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.