Plymouth Car Causes Parking Confusion at Stellantis HQ
In a case of mistaken identity, a classic car parked at Stellantis North American headquarters led to an unexpected parking ticket. The incident highlights the challenges of managing parking spaces at a bustling automotive hub.
The iconic Pentastar logo, synonymous with Stellantis’ rich automotive heritage, adorns both the company’s headquarters in Auburn Hills and the hood of Devin Sykes’ 1987 Plymouth Gran Fury. Sykes, an electric vehicle engineer at Stellantis, proudly parked his Gran Fury in a spot reserved for vehicles belonging to the Stellantis family.
“It’s a car that was built during the (former Chrysler CEO Lee) Iacocca era, and he really brought back like the corporate badge, the Pentastar, and it’s just all over the car,” Sykes said.
However, a ticket awaited Sykes, accusing him of parking a competitor’s vehicle in a reserved spot. Despite Plymouth’s historical ties to Stellantis as a brand founded by Walter Chrysler in 1928, which ceased operations in 2001, the ticket was issued under the assumption that the car was not a part of the Stellantis lineage.
“There was a ticket on my windshield, and the first thing I did was laugh out loud,” Sykes told the Detroit Free Press.
The situation was quickly resolved. Sykes approached a security director the following day, who promptly dismissed the ticket with a simple acknowledgment. “He looked down at it, and he just said, ‘Plymouth.'” Sykes recalled, adding that the security officer had a wry smile.
The incident underscores a broader issue at Stellantis HQ, where parking has become increasingly contentious following a company-wide call for employees to return to the office post-pandemic. The return has led to a surge in on-site workforce, compounded by the company’s recent hiring of approximately 2,000 engineers as part of an “operational realignment.”
Parking regulations at Stellantis dictate that only vehicles from the Stellantis brand family can occupy prime parking spots on the campus. While these rules are not new, they have caused frustration among employees, who have taken to online forums to express their displeasure.
Stellantis officials maintain that the parking rules are standard practice and emphasize that the tickets issued are merely warnings without any monetary penalties.
“It’s been the policy for a long time, and I’m sure a lot of people were hired over COVID,” Sykes noted, mentioning that the signs designating competitive vehicle spots might be difficult to notice for newcomers or those driving larger vehicles.
Besides his workplace adventures, Sykes, a self-confessed car enthusiast, has garnered attention for his efforts to transform an old service garage on Detroit’s east side into a self-service maintenance center. His initiative has attracted support from the community, with offers of tools, equipment, and donations.
“I’m excited about how many people want to act, like how many people want to help,” Sykes expressed.
For more about the growing presence of Chinese EVs in the U.S. market, click here. To learn about the retirement of GM design exec Sharon Gauci, click here.
Original Story at www.freep.com