Jeep and Ram's U. S. Future: Stellantis' New Plans Unveiled

During a visit to Washington, D. C. , just before President Donald Trump's inauguration, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann revealed the company's fresh plans for the U. S. These include creating 1, 500 new jobs and reopening a plant in Illinois to manufacture a new midsize pickup truck by 2027. Additionally, Stellantis will build a new version of the Dodge Durango SUV in Detroit, which was previously considered for Mexico. Support for plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana, will also increase. Stellantis aims to fortify its U. S. manufacturing footprint and sustain the American workforce, marking a significant shift under the guidance of new leadership. Some of these plans, like the midsize pickup truck in Illinois, were expected under an agreement with the United Auto Workers union. However, previous strategic decisions by former CEO Carlos Tavares had cast doubt on these projects. The UAW, which had been advocating for Tavares' removal, welcomed these announcements. The union had filed grievances and organized protests over job cuts and production changes. UAW President Shawn Fain praised the new plans, emphasizing the union's commitment to protecting jobs.