Charges against Michael Grimes bring the scandal closer to former UAW Vice President Joe Ashton, who headed the GM department from 2010 through 2014, and current UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, Ashton's successor until 2018.
After earlier generations had the full-size diesel pickup segment to themselves, Ram now has to contend with rival offerings from Ford and Chevrolet.
Forecasters warn a combination of rising costs, falling vehicle sales and uncertainty over future technologies may end a decade of growth in the auto parts industry.
Automakers were already testing the waters for child-detection safety features. If regulators move forward in the U.S. and Europe, the technologies would be required.
A plan to hire 2,000 people at the former GM site in Flint hinges on getting incentives from a program that's nearing its cap and about to expire.
