Happy Thursday! It’s October 13, 2025, and welcome to *The Morning Shift*, your daily roundup of the top automotive headlines from around the world—all in one place. Here, you’ll find the most important stories shaping the way Americans drive and get around.
In this morning’s edition, we’re looking at Tesla’s ongoing efforts to pay Elon Musk a massive compensation package, Canada’s displeasure with Stellantis over plans to move Jeep production to the United States, threats to federal funding for General Motors and Stellantis, and yet another Ford recall.
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### Tesla’s $56 Billion Pay Package Battle Continues
Remember when Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package was approved, then rescinded, then reinstated, and then rescinded again? Well, Tesla isn’t ready to give up just yet.
According to Reuters, a Tesla attorney argued before the Delaware Supreme Court on Wednesday that Musk’s pay package should have been restored by a shareholder vote last year. This legal battle is entering its final stage after a lower court judge invalidated the CEO’s record-breaking compensation in January 2024.
Tesla is also appealing the court’s rejection of the shareholder vote to reinstate Musk’s pay. This case highlights a familiar dynamic in corporate America: while companies try to pay workers as little as possible, executives often secure enormous compensation packages justified by the need to attract “top talent.”
Of course, executives themselves often set their own pay rates—and that talent attraction rarely trickles down to other roles.
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### Canada Threatens Legal Action Over Stellantis Jeep Production Shift
Stellantis manufactures many vehicles in Canada, but after tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, the company has started considering shifting some production to the U.S. Unsurprisingly, Canada isn’t happy.
*Automotive News* reports that Canada has threatened legal action following Stellantis’ announcement to move Jeep Compass SUV manufacturing from Brampton, Ontario, to Belvidere, Illinois.
Canada’s Industry Minister Melanie Joly labeled the move “unacceptable,” pointing out that Stellantis had previously received federal and provincial support based on an agreement to maintain its full Canadian footprint, including the Brampton plant.
Joly demanded Stellantis quickly identify new production mandates for the Brampton facility to keep it central to the company’s manufacturing footprint and ensure contracts with Canadian suppliers are honored.
While Canada may care less about the Compass specifically, the government is adamant that the Brampton factory continues operating. If it switches to making something else, that’s fine, but it has to stay active.
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### Federal Funding at Risk for GM and Stellantis Amid Political Shifts
Since the Trump administration prioritized rolling back climate-focused programs, the future of federal funding for progressive initiatives has become uncertain. These programs, often dismissed as “leftist” or “socialist,” include projects supporting electric vehicles and green technology.
*Automotive News* shares that the Department of Energy recently terminated funding for 233 projects described as part of “the Left’s climate agenda.” Included in a leak published by news outlet Semafor on October 7 are several awards tied to automotive giants: five for General Motors, two for Stellantis, plus others involving Bosch and Plug Power.
While the list has not been officially confirmed, Semafor has a reliable track record.
If GM and Stellantis begin losing federal funding—especially given that the U.S. has pushed them to conduct business domestically, sometimes at the expense of international advantages—their financial outlook and strategic calculations could change drastically.
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Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day!
https://www.jalopnik.com/1998560/tesla-still-fighting-for-elon-musk-56-billion-dollar-package/
