Stellantis, the international automaker behind brands like Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram, has announced a major investment of thirteen billion dollars to strengthen its United States manufacturing operations. This investment is a key part of a broader revival plan led by its new CEO and will be executed over the next four years.
The plan includes the development and production of five new vehicles through 2029. Factories in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana will receive this investment. The funding will also support the production of a new four-cylinder engine. A significant part of the plan is the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, which will allow for expanded production of the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass for the U.S. market. In total, this initiative is expected to create more than five thousand new jobs.
Unlike previous large investment pledges from automakers, this one does not primarily focus on electrification. Only one of the five new vehicles will be an electric model. This vehicle is a range-extended EV, which combines a battery with a gasoline generator for additional driving range. It will be produced at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan starting in 2028. The automaker also plans to produce a large new gasoline-powered SUV at the same Warren plant.
The remaining products in the plan include a next-generation Dodge Durango to be produced at the Detroit Assembly Complex in 2029. A new midsize truck will be assembled at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio. The new four-cylinder engine, called the GMET4 EVO, will go into production beginning in 2026 at the company’s factory in Kokomo, Indiana.
Stellantis CEO and North America COO Antonio Filosa stated that this investment will drive the automaker’s growth, strengthen its manufacturing footprint, and bring more American jobs to the states it calls home. He emphasized that accelerating growth in the U.S. has been a top priority since his first day, and that success in America strengthens the company globally.
Stellantis has scaled back its electrification plans for the U.S. market over the past year. The company said in September it would no longer include an electrified Gladiator in its Jeep lineup as it reassessed its product strategy. Earlier that same month, the automaker canceled plans to produce a battery-electric full-size pickup. However, Stellantis confirmed it still plans to produce an extended-range Ram 1500 REV, which was formerly called the Ramcharger.