Jeep and Ram proprietor Stellantis is investing over $406 million to retool three Michigan vegetation as a part of plans to ramp up EV manufacturing. The brand new funding comes because it preps for the primary electrical Jeep, Dodge, and Ram EV pickup to hit the US market.
Jeep, Ram to kick off Stellantis’ EV ramp up within the US
Stellantis introduced at present’s new investments are a part of a “multi-energy technique.” Over $235 million of the funding will speed up the retooling of its Sterling Heights Meeting Plant (SHAP).
The corporate confirmed the SHAP facility shall be its first within the US to construct an all-electric automobile, Ram’s electrical pickup. Stellantis stated the Ram 1500 REV electrical pickup will launch in late 2024 and be constructed alongside the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger (range-extended mannequin).
Based mostly on the STLA Body platform, Ram’s electrical pickup gives as much as 500 (229 kWh battery) or 350 miles (168 kWh battery) vary.
Different investments embody about $97.6 million into its Warren Truck Meeting Plant (WTAP) to arrange for Jeep’s first international EV, the Wagoneer S.
Jeep’s Wagoneer S shall be certainly one of 4 EVs launched globally by the tip of 2025. The opposite three embody the Wrangler-inspired Recon EV, a brand new mainstream electrical crossover SUV, and a Renegade EV beginning underneath $25,000.
Stellantis can even retool its Dundee Engine Plant (DEP) to assemble, weld, and take a look at battery trays for its STLA Body structure.
The ability can even produce entrance and rear beams for the STLA Giant platform. Manufacturing is slated for 2024 and 2026, respectively.
The brand new investments are a part of Stellantis’s broader Dare Ahead 2030 technique, which requires 100% of passenger automobile gross sales in Europe and 50% of its passenger automobile and light-duty truck gross sales within the US to be electrical by 2030.
Dodge, one other Stellantis model, is launching its first EV, the 2024 Charger Daytona. The model claims the Scat Pack mannequin maintains its title because the “World’s quickest and strongest muscle automobile.”
Electrek’s Take
Stellantis is about to launch the primary Jeep, Dodge, and Ram EVs in North America simply as US rivals Ford and GM pull again on main initiatives.
Ford is scrapping plans for its electrical three-row SV, opening the door for Jeep, which can launch its first EV within the US later this yr. As an alternative, Ford is doubling down on smaller, extra reasonably priced electrical vehicles.
GM pushed again a number of EV initiatives, together with the opening of its electrical truck plant in Michigan and an EV battery manufacturing unit in Indiana.
Will Jeep and Ram benefit from the chance? Jeep is present process a model revamp and is trying to reverse a five-year gross sales hunch.
In line with CEO Antonio Filosa, Jeep’s electrical SUV is not going to launch till it’s of “good high quality” as the corporate seems to show issues round in its most essential market. The Wagoneer S is predicted to play a key position.
