Stellantis announced a series of updates totaling more than $406 million at three plants in Michigan, indicating it plans to expand its battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid vehicle production. While reemphasizing its Dare Forward 2030 objectives to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2038, the new investments also signal an ongoing commitment to producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in North America.
The Amsterdam-based automaker has previously committed to achieve 100% battery electric vehicles sales for passenger cars in Europe by 2030, and a 50% passenger car and light-duty truck BEV sales in the U.S. by 2030.
The Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant, where the RAM 1500 REV is being built for release later this year, will be the target for $235.5 million of the new capital investments.
The automaker described how Sterling Heights is set to operate with a “multi-energy industrialization strategy,” following completion recently of some BEV-specific installations – such as a new conveyor system, new automation for BEV-specific processes, and the retooling and rearrangement of workstations in general assembly for producing ICE, BEV and range-extended models on the same assembly line.
That plant is set to produce the range-extended 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger too, a hybrid vehicle with battery-electric and gas engine functionality.
“Gearing up to build our first-ever Ram electric truck and the range-extended version in Michigan is a meaningful moment of pride for our teams,” stated Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
Further investments will be made at the Warren (Mich.) Truck Assembly Plant for future production of an electrified Jeep® Wagoneer as well as the ICE version of that SUV series. And at the Dundee (Mich.) Engine Plant a new investment is planned to implement battery tray production and beam machining, together with ongoing assembly of gas engines.
“With these investments supporting both Jeep and Ram, we’re adding innovations to our Michigan manufacturing footprint to support a multi-energy approach that is laser-focused on customer demand,” Tavares added.
