Stellantis and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have recently come to a preliminary agreement, bringing an end to a prolonged strike that had disrupted production at numerous factories throughout the country.
Although the finer details of the deal are still being worked out, an inadvertent leak on social media has unveiled Stellantis’s production strategies for the upcoming years, shedding light on the automaker’s roadmap for transitioning its predominantly truck-focused lineup to electric power.
The leaked document discloses that the iconic Jeep Wrangler will continue in its current JL generation at the Toledo Assembly Complex until 2028, with the highly popular 4xe plug-in-hybrid model receiving an update in 2025.
The next-generation Wrangler, designated as the J70, is slated to arrive in 2028, exclusively as an electric or plug-in-hybrid off-road vehicle. This plug-in setup differs from the current 4xe, functioning as a series hybrid where the motor serves as a generator to recharge the battery rather than powering the wheels.
The Jeep Gladiator pickup is following a similar trajectory, with an enhanced plug-in hybrid model expected in 2025, as the existing JT generation continues until 2028. Notably, the document doesn’t mention a next-generation Gladiator at the Toledo plant. Instead, it appears that Stellantis intends to invest $1.5 billion in the Belvidere, Illinois, factory to manufacture new midsize trucks in 2027.
The document’s wording suggests that this plan may encompass both Jeep and Dodge-branded models, potentially reviving the Dakota nameplate. Although powertrain specifics are absent, the document anticipates an annual production run of 80,000 to 100,000 units and the construction of a new battery plant in Belvidere, totaling a $3.2 billion investment.
In 2025, the substantial Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models are set to receive a refresh, with a subsequent update planned for 2027. Concurrently, a new variant of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will join the Warren Truck Assembly in 2025, utilizing the STLA Frame platform that underpins the forthcoming RAM 1500 REV. Initially, this model will feature a range-extender plug-in-hybrid setup, with an all-electric version slated to debut on the same platform in 2027.
The electric Ram 1500 REV will commence production at the Sterling Heights factory in 2024, with the document indicating the inclusion of a range-extender model, a concept previously confirmed by the company’s CEO. The gas-powered version of the truck is also due for an update in 2024.
At the Detroit Assembly Complex, both the two-row and three-row L models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee will continue in the current generation until 2027, with a refresh scheduled for 2024. A next-generation model is set to launch in 2027, and the document hints at the introduction of both gas-powered and electric vehicle variants.
Preceding the Grand Cherokee’s redesign, its corporate sibling, the Dodge Durango, is expected to receive a new generation in 2026, featuring both internal combustion and battery-powered models, likely sharing powertrains with the Jeep.
Several models were omitted from this list as they are not manufactured in the United States, including the Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade, Dodge Hornet, Chrysler Pacifica, and Ram ProMaster van. Notably, the Jeep Cherokee is set to be discontinued after the 2023 model year, freeing up production space in Belvidere and Toledo.
No mention is made of the Recon concept revealed last year, which was initially anticipated to debut in 2024, or the Wagoneer S concept, which is expected to evolve into the Grand Cherokee EV but on a revised schedule compared to the original plan.
The document does not provide details about the successors of the Canadian-made Dodge Charger and Challenger, nor does it mention the Ram Rampage compact truck for the South American market, which had been under speculation for a U.S. release after prototypes were spotted in the country. Although the document does not present a comprehensive overview of Stellantis’s plans before 2030, it does offer valuable insights into the automaker’s strategic shift toward electric vehicles.