The UAW has released additional details about their tentative agreement with Stellantis and its chock-full of future products.
The big news is a $1.5 (£1.2 / €1.4) billion investment in the formerly idled Belvidere assembly plant. It’s being brought back to life to produce mid-size trucks in 2027. One of the models is expected to be a Ram Dakota successor and the plant is expected to build between 80,000 and 100,000 units annually.
The plant will run two shifts and the union said this “could more than make up for the 1,200 jobs lost when Belvidere was idled.” The UAW added, “When we started these negotiations, we were committed to saving Belvidere. We fought like hell to bring product back to this plant.”
More: Ford’s UAW Agreement Calls For New Electric Van And Truck, Hybrid Navigator And Expedition
The Toledo Assembly Complex will receive $1.5 (£1.2 / €1.4) billion and this will pave the way for new and upgraded Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator plug-in hybrids in 2025. A few years later, in 2028, the factory will begin building the next-generation Wrangler including electric and range-extended variants.
The Gladiator isn’t mentioned as part of the next-generation, but it looks like production could be moved to Belvidere Assembly. While that remains to be seen, the aforementioned plant will build “Midsize Trucks” – notice the plural – and it would make sense for both pickups to be made at the same plant.
The Warren Truck Plant will get $600 (£485 / €559) million and this will allow it to build the facelifted Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in 2025. They’ll be joined by range-extended variants that same year and fully electric models in 2027. Both of the eco-friendly variants will ride on the STLA Frame platform, which underpins the Ram 1500 REV. The launch of the EVs in 2027 will also see the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer receive another facelift.
Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops
Sterling Heights Assembly will get $1.4 (£1.1 / €1.3) billion for the facelifted Ram 1500 as well as the Ram 1500 REV and it’s range-extended counterpart. They’ll go into production starting next year.
Lastly, the Detroit Assembly Complex will get $1.5 (£1.2 / €1.4) billion and build the current Dodge Durango through 2025. A redesigned model will then arrive in 2026 with electric and internal combustion powertrains.
On the Jeep side of the equation, Detroit Assembly will begin building the facelifted Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L in 2024. The next-generation model will then arrive in 2027 with ICE and EV powertrains.
The tentative agreement also reveals a handful of other details including the previously announced Belvidere battery plant. It’s expected to cost $3.2 (£2.5 / €3.0) billion and start operations in 2028.
The union also agreed to close numerous parts distribution centers. That’s a huge blow to members, who went on strike and now could be out of a job in a few years. However, the UAW tried to put a positive spin on this by saying “The company gave us two choices for Mopar: to either consolidate facilities and gain jobs, or close facilities and lose jobs.”
With all that being said, the contract is tentative and everything mentioned here may not actually pan out.
