Bridgewater Interiors is planning to lay off 63 employees at its Detroit plant after Stellantis discontinues the Ram 1500 Classic.
The seating supplier said it expects to make the cuts permanent by the end of September, according to a WARN notice filed with the state on Monday.
Affected employees, represented by UAW Local 600, will receive additional pay and benefits upon termination, the document said.
Ram brand CEO Chris Feuell confirmed this week that the automaker would end production of its popular half-ton pickup truck, which has been on sale since 2009. The Ram 1500 Classic sports different features than its redesigned version, perhaps most notably the first-generation Ram logo on its grille, and is generally priced lower.
“The Ram 1500 Classic has been a great entry-level pickup for Ram, and the Tradesman model certainly represented the needs of our commercial truck customers,” Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in an email. “With the introduction of the Tradesman trim on the all-new Ram 1500 for the 2024 model year, we say goodbye to the previous generation and remind customers that the HEMI-powered Ram 1500 Classic will be available in 2025.”
The Ram 1500 Classic is built at Warren Truck Assembly along with the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs. Stellantis said a month ago it would temporarily lay off 1,600 workers at Warren Truck “to align production with sales.”
Bridgewater declined to comment on its plan for layoffs when the Ram 1500 Classic ends production this fall.
Crain’s Detroit Business left a message seeking comment from UAW Local 600.