US Tariffs Have Impacted This Dodge So Severely That It Might Completely Miss 2026 | Carscoops

      Stellantis has not yet announced a release date for the 2026 Hornet, and there are still many 2024 and 2025 models available.

      5 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      Stellantis has delayed the production of the 2026 Dodge Hornet in Italy due to concerns regarding tariffs.

      The company plans to evaluate the impact of U.S. tariff policies on the compact crossover.

      Vehicles manufactured in Europe and imported to the U.S. are currently subjected to a 25 percent tariff.

      The Dodge Hornet has encountered a setback due to the most recent U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles. Stellantis has opted to postpone the production of the 2026 model year for the compact crossover, which was scheduled to be produced in Italy and would face a 25 percent import tariff before reaching dealerships in the U.S.

      According to Stellantis, the company will "assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies" prior to proceeding with the 2026 Dodge Hornet. At this point, a confirmed production start date has not been established.

      Assembled in Italy, Dealing with U.S. Uncertainty

      The Hornet is currently manufactured at the Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, near Naples. It was first introduced in the U.S. market for the 2023 model year and is available with gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Essentially, it is a slightly redesigned version of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, sharing most of its platform while featuring cosmetic modifications to align with Dodge’s styling.

      For 2025, the starting price for the Dodge Hornet is $29,995 for the GT trim with the 2.0-liter engine, while the top-level R/T Plus with the plug-in hybrid option reaches $47,485. Notably, Dodge continues to advertise the 2024 model year on its website, suggesting that there is still unsold inventory.

      Sales Trends Indicate Significant Decline

      In its first full year on the market, Dodge sold 20,559 Hornet units in the U.S., according to AutoNews. However, sales have dropped sharply in 2025. The first half of the year saw a 52 percent decrease, with only 5,647 units sold compared to 11,718 in the same period in 2024. The second quarter was even more challenging, with sales declining 64 percent to just 1,539 units.

      While the Hornet’s sales have waned, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is facing even greater challenges in the U.S. market, with only 3,383 units sold last year. Worldwide production also decreased to 36,980 units in 2024. A significant factor affecting Tonale sales in the U.S. is its pricing.

      Although it is nearly identical to the Hornet, the Tonale starts at $36,535, which is significantly higher than the Hornet’s base MSRP. Moreover, the Hornet benefits from being marketed under an American brand, which may enhance its appeal to domestic consumers.

      Changes Extend Beyond the Hornet

      In addition to postponing the Italian-manufactured 2026 Hornet, Dodge has also reduced the lineup of another model. The Charger Daytona R/T, which was built in Canada, will not be returning for the 2026 model year, leaving the Scat Pack as the only trim level for Dodge’s forthcoming electric muscle car.