Stellantis, the parent company responsible for brands like Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler, is making some big moves in America today. The company announced plans this morning to allocate $13 billion in investments across four States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, with plans to increase production by 50% and add 5,000 jobs.
Buried in this news is a fascinating piece of data that has us wondering about the fate of Ram’s upcoming mid-size truck, which will compete against pickups like the Ranger, the Colorado, and the Tacoma. That truck was supposed to be built at Stellantis’s Belvidere assembly plant in Illinois. But now, the company says it’ll be built alongside the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator in Toledo, Ohio.
This raises an obvious question: Will Ram’s new mid-sizer be based on Jeep Wrangler bones? Building the trucks at the same assembly complex might suggest so, but Stellantis’s wording is pretty vague:
With an investment of nearly $400 million, assembly of an all-new midsize truck, previously allocated to the Belvidere plant, plans to move to the Toledo Assembly Complex, where it will join the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator. The production shift could create more than 900 jobs. Launch timing is expected in 2028.
The Company also intends to continue with investments in its Toledo operations as previously announced in January. This includes additional technologies and strong product actions for both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, and more components critical to production at the Toledo Machining Plant.
That note about the truck coming out in 2028 is particularly important. Back in 2023, leaked Stellantis documents claimed the new Wrangler would come out that same year. That means the Ram and the new Jeep are due to launch at the same time, and now, they’ll be coming from the same assembly plant. So a platform-sharing situation makes some sense.
Ford has been pulling this scheme successfully for years. The Bronco and the Ranger, an off-road SUV and a mid-size pickup truck, are based on the same T6 platform and built at the same Michigan assembly plant.
There’s also that whole report last week from Reuters about the federal government revoking a grant given to Stellantis to retool the Belvidere plant. It’s possible that Stellantis moved production to Toledo because it lost those funds. It’s also possible that Belvidere will soon be at capacity, as Stellantis is now planning to drop $600 million of its own funds to produce the new Cherokee and the Compass at the plant. Previously, the new Cherokee was supposed to only be built in Mexico, while the Compass was set to be built in Canada. Those two foreign plants will still be building Jeeps; this Belvidere activation is just an expansion of production.
It’s equally likely that Stellantis could be building the Ram and the Jeep on totally separate lines without any platform-sharing going on. The Toledo plant has been building the Wrangler since ’93 (and various other Jeeps before that, like the XJ, J-series, CJs, etc.), but the complex has also built vehicles like the Nitro and the last-generation Jeep Cherokee (which moved to Belvidere in 2017). So there’s a lot of flexibility there.
Stellantis declined to share any additional info regarding the mid-sizer’s production plans with me. I followed up to see whether it plans on adding independent front suspension to the upcoming Wrangler, as that would give a lot of insight into whether the two might share a platform, but Jeep declined to share any details.
[Ed Note: This leads to a question: If the Wrangler is going to share a platform with this upcoming Ram mid-size pickup, is the Jeep getting IFS or is the Ram getting a solid front axle? As much as I hate to say it: It makes very little sense to put a solid front axle on any pickup truck (because their off-road limitations are related to geometry; the added articulation barely comes into play unless you jack the truck up 4+ inches), much less a non-Jeep. I deeply hope Jeep doesn’t kill off the solid front axle on the Wrangler, because that remains, in my opinion, the best overall off-road suspension (unless you care about high-speed stuff) despite being insanely antiquated. -DT].
Yet Another Big SUV Is In The Cards
The Ram mid-sizer shakeup is only part of the story here. In Indiana, $100 million has been allocated to its facilities in Kokomo to produce new four-cylinder engines. Then there’s Michigan, which is getting over $200 million from a Stellantis injection that’ll include a new SUV and a new EREV:
Stellantis plans to develop an all-new range-extended EV and internal combustion engine large SUV that will be produced at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant beginning in 2028. The Company will invest nearly $100 million to retool the facility. It is anticipated that the new program will add more than 900 jobs at the plant, which currently assembles the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
The Company also expects to invest $130 million to prepare the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson for production of the next-generation Dodge Durango, reaffirming its commitment from January. Production is anticipated to launch in 2029.
Conveniently, Stellantis doesn’t mention which brand this new large SUV will be sold under. It sounds like it’ll be based on the Wagoneer, considering it’ll be built at that vehicle’s plant. But whether it ends up as a Dodge, a Chrysler, or a Ram isn’t exactly clear at this point. Theoretically, any of those brands could use such a product.
Top graphic images: Stellantis; Columbia Pictures
Man, the automotive industry right now is wild. I may not have any interest in buying a new car, but there’s so much going on with companies trying to reinvent themselves in the face of an uncertain future that it’s quite interesting to watch it all play out. It’s like a reality TV show, but the characters are mega corporations.
Part of me wants to see Stellantis recover, just to see if they can do it. Part of me wonders if Nissan can save themselves. I wonder if someday American brands will have a good reputation for quality and reliability and be a major player globally…
Even though there are barely any new cars right now that I’d actually want, I haven’t been this interested in the automotive industry in a long time.
Something, something, rearranging the deck chairs…
It means it’s going to be too big, share too many parts with the Wrangler, and get poor fuel economy for a “small” pickup.
It will be competing in a crowded market for sure. In a size class that really isn’t that great a value compared to full size. But if it’s just new sheet metal on the Jeep chassis the cost to tool and validate should be low. That’s what Tesla should have done with their truck plan, a Maverick / Rangeline sort of rig on the Y platform.
Who is buying Stellantis vehicles?
Rental fleets, folks with just enough credit to qualify, Boomer age die hard Mopar and Jeep partisans.
People who remember the Omni GLH the Neon ACR, The Dakota R/T…
“This raises an obvious question: Will Ram’s new mid-sizer be based on Jeep Wrangler bones? Building the trucks at the same assembly complex might suggest so…”
You don’t need vehicles to be the same or even on the same platform to come off the same production line.
For example, at one point Mercedes-Benz built W114/W115 sedans, coupes and limousines, W113 Pagodas, W108/109 Sedans and W111 Coupes and Convertibles in the same plant at Sindelfingen.
Later W123 sedans, coupes, wagons and limousines, R107 and W116s also came off the same line at the same time.
Today the same plant produces the S Class, E Class, GLC, and EQS – Yes, the EVs roll off the same line as ICE cars.
Or Magna Steyr in Graz producing the eclectic mix from the G-Wagen to the Mini-Paceman at the same time.
Currently building a number of Chinese branded vehicles (Xpeng, and Aion), alongside that G-wagen.
The Dakota should have happened over a decade ago, the demand never went anywhere! The problem was the 3rd gen dakota was so god damn terrible lookign that it killed the entire model! Look at the sales of the STILL attractive 2nd gen! They sold like CRAZY!
If they take that exact same design, crisp it up a bit, and launch it, it would sell like Fing crazy.
I hope it doesnt keep that mushed down DLO,
The little midsize truck better damn well come with Hemi and Hurricane options.
People who want a reliable truck will still buy Tacomas in droves.
People who want power, as well as maintenance nightmares, will buy this new Stellantis offering.
Hot take: The Brazilian Ram Rampage will be the new mid-sizer with a bit of a facelift.
Ram Rampage is a unibody vehicle more akin to the Maverick or Ridgeline, isn’t it? I think this is going to BOF, so I don’t think that is the direction they are going.
If they put the Hemi in this new mid-sizer, that would be a badass throwback to when they did fun stuff like the Ram SRT-10. The Hurricane would be awesome as well. Life’s too short for boring vehicles!
The latest Tacoma has broken the myth of Toyota reliability.
Bring back extended cab long bed midsize trucks!
(Yes, I know Nissan still makes one, but it’s only on the base level truck. I’m not sure I’d count the new Taco as it doesn’t even have back doors.)
This
Well it’s about time they came out with a new Dakota.
And with some luck, they’ll call it the “Dodge Dakota” and use this smaller pickup truck as the start of migrating Ram back under Dodge.
They have needed something smaller for a while but I think the real fight is in the trucklets. But if they price it right it could be competitive. I don’t know the chances of that and they have overpriced ram so much that alot of the fleet buyers are going back to Ford or gm.
I think maybe the body on frame processing might be the main reason to share the plant as it probably better aligns the total number of processes on the line. While I am not opposed to a new Dakota and i do appreciate body on frame in anything truckish, I am a little purprised they did not look to compete in the Maverick end of the pool. Ram could certainly use the littel guy emissions and volume selling point and I am sure a clean sheet Mini SUV under Dodge, but based upon a 4 door maverick trucklet would certainly be helpful. Just let the Alpha Romeo group keep the Tonale, the Hornet was DOA.
Chrysler could certainly use Top level tech and a full gambit of e to G engine options in a badged small CUV and even better a Ram truck based SUV.
Gotta wonder if the gladiator will stick around long term with another in-house competitor
I could see them making a play similar to Toyota with the frame that now underpins like 5 different BOF vehicles.
I see two different avenues here if they shared platform some. 1) Ram frame is IFS, while Jeep frame remains solid axle. Clear easy way to make them different market products.
2) IFS and Solid axle Jeeps. Solid axle gets put behind certain offroad trims while Base and Luxury trims move over to IFS.
I’m saddened and amazed at the number of people in these comments who have been crapping all over Stellantis brands for what they offer, then now are crapping on them for looking at new products. So you are pissed they suck, but pissed they are making moves to try and improve? Solid stance guys. The current administration of Stellantis hasn’t produced a SINGLE product yet. All of your commentary on what they have produced since becoming Stellantis is ALL a reflection of Carlos Tavares’ leadership. At least give Filosa and Kuniskis a chance to prove whether they have it or not in the modern day market.
It means someone not paying attention on the line there will be trying to fit a Jeep fender on a mid size Ram.
The ram is ugly as hell and will not sell. It’s a “RAM TRUCK” not a Honda Ridgeline. I have no clue who they are chasing with this thing, but it will fail. Then they will say “we are victims of x,y,z who could have predicted!”
Well here I am, letting them know, change the look or meet yet ANOTHER failure for the big S.
That’s not the truck being discussed in the article, that picture is the current model RAM Rampage, which has been on sale in South America for the past two years and seems to be selling fairly well. Its on the same platform as the Cherokee, so has nothing to do with the Wrangler
Thank you for clarifying. South America has its own fun and unique market and I love a lot of their options, but this I am not a fan of.
I hope they name it the Ram Bo.
That might be better for a compact truck, though.
Things don’t bode well for that plant in Brampton, Ontario. I have a feeling Stellantis isn’t going to resurrect it.
They are saying they have something planned for it, but I trust them as far as I can throw a Jeep Wrangler, pre-rust.
I understand why Stellantis wants to go after every high-margin truck sale it can get. But does anyone really need another mid-size truck option from a company that has shown zero ability to develop a competitive product?
I’m no engineer, but I’m pretty sure it’s possible to design a vehicle frame that can accept either a solid axle or IFS suspensions. Even in the early 1960s, I-H Travelalls could be ordered with both types of front suspensions.
I might place a bet that the new truck won’t be available with 2WD, though. It seems like sales of 2WD trucks are slipping vs 4WD. In the full-size truck world, most manufacturers won’t even allow you to spec an uplevel trim with 2WD any more. I wouldn’t guess that in the midsize class that even 25% of pickups are sold with 2WD these days.
There is a LOT of flexibility in both modern platforms and modern assembly lines to where I don’t see a huge issue having 2 unique vehicles on the same line with different suspension geometries – even ones as different as solid axle vs IFS. Basically Jeep and Ram would be dumb not to combine these vehicles as long as the Wrangler doesn’t continue to grow larger.
It is already pretty darn big compared to a few generations ago. Unless Jeep is planning a new smaller Wrangler-type vehicle that does off-roading like a Wrangler but is just smaller in size (closer to ones from the 80s and 90s).
I will bang this drum again. IMPORT THE JIMNY AS A TINY WRANGLER.
Hold me closer, Tiny Wrangler….
I mean yeah, but we know it won’t happen. More realistic to see Jeep release a Jimny-size Wrangler.
Will be more $ and built worse, but I think it is more likely to happen.
I love the Jimny too, but no one would buy it. Including most of the people who say they would if they could. It is very small. Very very small. It just doesn’t fit with American buyers.
Speaking as a huge Suzuki fan (I have a 96 Tracker). It’s just not gonna happen.
So could the first couple of years of the Jeep Wagoneer. I know Dodge/Ram have offered IFS on the 1500 and a solid axle on the 2500/3500 so its plausible they plan to have both available depending on model or config.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the new Wrangler could be optioned with ifs or a solid axle, or offer one or the other based on trim
The 2nd gen Ram 1500 used IFS on 2WD trucks and SFA on 4WD trucks, so it’s definitely doable to have both IFS and SFA off the same platform.
The Tacoma line produces two different rear suspensions (coil and leaf); there’s no reason why the same couldn’t be done with the front suspension.
Hell, the Mustang used IRS in the SVT Cobra while the regular versions still had a solid axle
Stellantis boss: Gladiator sales are down. Finally time to make a mid-sized Ram.
Belvidere, IL: *cheers*
Bean counters: Great! Now how can we make it as cheaply as possible? Otherwise we’ll have to lay off half our engineering staff.
Engineers: *sheepishly* we… could… build it on the Gladiator chassis? The tooling is mostly paid for and the line is underutilized…
Stellantis boss/bean counters: *cheers*
Belvidere, IL: *groans*
I’m scared the mid-sized Ram won’t be good. If it is shares the Wrangler platform, that likely means it’ll be far more offroad oriented than it should be. Or it means they are moving the Wrangler to IFS. Anways, a new Dakota (or whatever they call it) should be further removed from the Wrangler, rather than a reskinned Gladiator.
Believing it won’t be good is a very fair assumption since Stellantis has yet to develop a competitive product. The current Wrangler is as close as they have come, and it isn’t like it was a stretch from the previous generation.
I would be very surprised if the new US Dakota was NOT based off the Gladiator platform. It would be fairly easy to make it IFS while keeping the Gladiator (and Wrangler) SFA. The rear suspension of the Gladiator is already a 3/4 scale version of what’s under the Ram 1500, so an IFS Dakota on the Gladiator platform would really be like a 3/4 scale Ram 1500. Especially if they give it the same body/styling as the new Fiat-based BOF Dakota that’s not coming to the US.
I’d us the Gladiator as an example that Stellantis doesn’t do enough to differentiate. If they can’t make unique rear doors for the Gladiator, what make me think they are going to develop an IFS for the Dakota?
Plus, I still think the Wrangler is a weird starting point for a mid-size pick-up. Seems like it would be easier to downsize the DT platform, or to federalize (and American-ize) the Ram 1200/Peugeot Landtrek.
Does it mean they’ll make a variant with a manual transmission and 4×4?
Bonus Breakdowns, Double the Recalls, and new and exciting ways to hoard rubber duckies instead of having a personality!