Customer complaints mounted after Rivian in late April said it was changing the production sequence of vehicles, prioritizing those with specific interior and exterior color and wheel options.
The average U.S. vehicle age rose to 12.2 years in 2022 — a nearly 2 percent increase from 2021, S&P Global Mobility said.
Mercedes is also planning for 25 percent online sales by 2025. The automaker says the moves will cut distribution costs and allow it to rein in incentives as it seeks to move even farther upmarket with higher average selling prices.
Plante Moran’s annual automaker-supplier working relations study suggests automakers may be trying to play nicer with parts makers.
Stellantis’ pullback is a win for auo suppliers facing extensive pressure in recent years as the industry pushes through the pandemic and faces a microchip shortage.