Stellantis to Reopen Belvidere Plant, Create 1,500 Jobs and Build Dodge Durango in U.S. After Trump Meeting

Jan 22, 2025, 05:50 PM

Stellantis NV, the parent company of Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge, has announced a series of strategic investments in the United States following a meeting between its Chairman John Elkann and President Donald Trump. The company plans to reopen its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois in 2027 to manufacture a new midsize pickup truck, bringing back 1,500 jobs. This move is part of a broader plan that includes building a $3.2 billion battery plant and adopting a multi-energy strategy for the new truck. Additionally, Stellantis will produce the next-generation Dodge Durango SUV at its Detroit complex. The company also intends to invest in its operations in Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana. These moves come after former CEO Carlos Tavares's departure and are aimed at strengthening Stellantis's U.S. manufacturing footprint amidst previous tensions with the United Auto Workers union over plant investments.