Stellantis Invests $13 Billion to Revitalize Jeep and Dodge in the U.S. | Carscoops

      A variety of new products is on the way, including a mid-size truck and a large SUV.

      16 hours ago

      by Michael Gauthier

      Stellantis is pouring billions into the U.S. to introduce five new vehicles.

      The Belvidere Assembly will reopen to manufacture the Jeep Cherokee and Compass.

      A mid-size truck will be produced in Ohio, while the new Durango will come from Detroit.

      Stellantis has faced challenges in their North American operations, but they’re making efforts to rectify the issues left by Carlos Tavares. We’ve already started to see changes, such as Ram reintroducing the Hemi while discontinuing their fully electric pickup.

      The revival plan is gaining momentum as the automaker has announced a substantial $13 billion (£9.8 billion / €11.2 billion) investment in the U.S. Stellantis claims it's the "largest single investment in [the] company’s 100-year history, benefiting all U.S. assembly plants."

      The investment will facilitate the launch of five new vehicles in "key segments" and the production of a brand-new four-cylinder engine. Furthermore, this funding is expected to create over 5,000 new jobs at plants across Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.

      These new models will be additional to "19 refreshed products" planned for production at U.S. assembly facilities, along with "updated powertrains" scheduled for rollout by 2029.

      New Products And A Return To Belvidere

      The previously idled Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois will restart operations in 2027, producing the new Cherokee and Compass for the U.S. market. This move aims to sidestep tariff issues and is anticipated to generate around 3,300 jobs.

      Although Belvidere was initially set to manufacture a new mid-size truck, Stellantis has opted to transfer its production to Toledo, Ohio, which is logical as Toledo Assembly currently produces the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler.

      The unnamed model, thought to be the successor to the Ram Dakota, is expected to debut in 2028. Adding it to the Toledo plant will create a new shift, resulting in approximately 900 positions.

      Michigan comes out ahead with several products on the way. The Warren Truck Plant will produce an entirely new large SUV featuring both an internal combustion engine and a range-extended powertrain.

      Production is slated to commence in 2028, with speculation that this could be the next-generation Jeep Grand Wagoneer or a variant of that model. This has yet to be confirmed, but Stellantis plans to invest nearly $100 million (£75 million / €86 million) in retooling, potentially adding over 900 new jobs.

      Meanwhile, in Detroit, Jefferson Assembly will manufacture the next-generation Dodge Durango, set to go into production in 2029, backed by a $130 million (£98 million / €112 million) investment.

      Lastly, Stellantis is channeling funds into Kokomo, Indiana to develop an all-new GMET4 EVO engine, which is expected to begin production next year and is labeled as a “strategic powertrain.”