Stellantis will move forward on plan to build new midsize truck in Illinois

By David Shepardson and Nora Eckert

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Chrysler parent Stellantis (NYSE:STLA ) is moving forward with plans to build a new midsize pickup truck in Belvidere, Illinois, the company said on Wednesday.

In August, Stellantis said it was delaying its planned investments at the Illinois plant. Stellantis in 2023 agreed to build a new $3.2 billion battery plant and invest $1.5 billion in Belvidere to build new midsize trucks by 2027. The Italian-American automaker told employees about the investment plans on Wednesday in a memo seen by Reuters.

Stellantis Chair John Elkann met with President Donald Trump last week and touted the company's U.S. strategy.

The Belvidere factory has been a battleground for the United Auto Workers union since its six-week strike against Detroit's automakers in late 2023.

In September 2024, the union filed unfair labor practice charges against the automaker, partly because it said Stellantis was delaying planned investments into a new battery plant and factory in Belvidere.

A company spokesperson said on Wednesday the new midsize truck is "planned to take full advantage of our multi-energy strategy," including options for a gasoline-powered vehicle, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle.



Production of the Dodge Durango has also been a sticking point between the union and company, with the union previously claiming Stellantis planned to offshore production of the three-row SUV.

Stellantis is moving forward with plans to build the next-generation Dodge Durango at its assembly complex in Detroit, the company said in the memo.

Source: Investing.com