Stellantis invests $13 billion in U.S. plants, Canadian workers protest
Stellantis plans to invest $13 billion over the next four years to grow its business in the United States market and to increase its domestic manufacturing footprint in four states, according to a press release from the company.
The investment is expected to increase annual finished vehicle production by 50%. The funding will support the introduction of five new vehicles, the production of an all-new four-cylinder engine, and the addition of more than 5,000 jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Stellantis’ current U.S. footprint includes 34 manufacturing facilities, parts distribution centers, and research and development locations across 14 states.
The new product launches will be in addition to 19 refreshed products across all U.S. assembly plants and updated powertrains planned through 2029.
“This investment in the U.S. — the single largest in the company’s history — will drive our growth, strengthen our manufacturing footprint and bring more American jobs to the states we call home,” said Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and North America COO, in the release. “As we begin our next 100 years, we are putting the customer at the center of our strategy, expanding our vehicle offerings, and giving them the freedom to choose the products they want and love.
“Accelerating growth in the U.S. has been a top priority since my first day. Success in America is not just good for Stellantis in the U.S. — it makes us stronger everywhere.”
Filosa became Stellantis’s CEO in June.
Illinois
Stellantis said it will invest more than $600 million to reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant, expanding Jeep Cherokee and Compass production for the U.S. market. An initial production launch is expected in 2027.
Ohio
With an investment of nearly $400 million, the assembly of an all-new midsize truck, previously allocated to the Belvidere plant, will move to the Toledo Assembly Complex. The complex currently produces the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. Launch timing is expected in 2028.
Stellantis plans to continue investing in its Toledo complex operations as previously announced in January. This includes additional technologies and “strong product actions” for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, as well as more components critical to production at the Toledo Machining Plant.
Michigan
Stellantis plans to develop an all-new range-extended EV and large internal combustion engine SUV, for which production is slated to begin in 2028 at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. The company will invest nearly $100 million to retool the facility. Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles are currently assembled at the plant.
The company also expects to invest $130 million to prepare the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson for production of the next-generation Dodge Durango, also reaffirming its commitment announced in January. Production is anticipated to begin in 2029.
Indiana
Stellantis says production of its all-new four-cylinder engine, the GMET4 EVO, will begin in 2026 at several of its Kokomo facilities with an investment of more than $100 million. The OEM says the U.S. will be the manufacturing home of the powertrain.
Canada
The same week that Stellantis made the investment announcement, Unifor expressed its concerns about the security of Canadian auto jobs, including the relocation of Jeep production from the Brampton Assembly Plant to the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
“We need the federal government to use Canada’s leverage now to fight for our auto jobs,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne, in a press release. “Stellantis cannot be allowed to renege on its commitments to Canadian workers, and governments cannot stand by while our jobs are shifted to the United States. Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this country’s top priority, sending a strong message to any corporation thinking they can take the same egregious actions.”
Unifor says the retooling of the Brampton Assembly Plant was paused in February, following the announcement of a 25% tariff on Canadian-made vehicles imported into the U.S.
According to the release, the Unifor auto delegation, which represents members at General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, has voiced growing concerns over potential investment and job losses at Canadian Detroit Three facilities due to trade pressures from the Trump administration.
Images
Featured image: A 2025 Jeep Gladiator is displayed at the Kokomo, Indiana, Stellantis Transmission plant on April 13, 2025. (Credit: jetcityimage)
Hundreds of people are pictured at the Unifor Protect Canadian Jobs rally in Brampton. (CNW Group/Unifor)