Stellantis Revives Illinois Plant for Mid-Size Truck Production
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 10:55 am ET
2min read Stellantis, the multinational automotive manufacturer, has announced its plans to move forward with the construction of a new mid-size truck in Illinois. The decision comes after a series of negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and a significant investment from the federal government. This development is expected to bring substantial job creation and economic benefits to the local community and the state as a whole.
The Belvidere Assembly Plant, which was idled in February 2023, will be the site of the new mid-size truck production. The plant, which previously produced the Jeep Cherokee, will now be repurposed to build a new midsize pickup truck for the Ram brand. The UAW has confirmed that the new vehicle will be smaller than the full-size Ram 1500, but the specific details of the truck's design and features have not yet been released.
The investment in the Belvidere plant is part of a broader strategy by Stellantis to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings and transition away from internal combustion engines. The company has committed to investing $3.2 billion in a new battery plant in Belvidere, which will support the production of both the new mid-size truck and other EV models. The battery plant is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs in the local community.
The planned investment in the Belvidere plant aligns with Stellantis' broader strategy for electric vehicle production and the transition away from internal combustion engines. The company has committed to offering an electrified version of every vehicle in its portfolio by 2025, and the new mid-size truck is expected to be offered with both gas-only and electrified powertrain options.
The federal government has awarded Stellantis a total of $585 million in grants, including nearly $335 million for the Belvidere plant, to help expand its electric vehicle manufacturing. The grants are expected to create more than 2,900 jobs and help retain about 15,000 union workers across all 11 facilities. In Belvidere specifically, the new battery plant is expected to employ around 1,000 workers, and the reopening of the assembly plant could bring back the 1,350 jobs that were lost when the plant was idled in 2023.
The planned investment in the Belvidere plant is expected to bring significant job creation and economic benefits to the local community and Illinois as a whole. The new mid-size truck production is expected to create or retain thousands of union jobs, and the new battery plant is expected to create around 1,000 new jobs in the local community. Additionally, the investments are expected to help establish Illinois as an EV manufacturing hub, contributing to the state's clean energy economy and helping Illinois achieve its goal of 1 million EVs by 2030.
In conclusion, Stellantis' decision to move forward with the construction of a new mid-size truck in Illinois is a significant development for the local community and the state as a whole. The investment in the Belvidere plant is expected to bring substantial job creation and economic benefits, while also aligning with Stellantis' broader strategy for electric vehicle production and the transition away from internal combustion engines. The federal government's investment in the project is a testament to the potential of the EV industry and the importance of supporting the growth of this sector in the United States.
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