Stellantis Charts a Course: New Durango, Major Investments, and Chrysler's Evolving Role
The Prolonged Wait for the Next Dodge Durango: A 2029 Unveil
The current iteration of the Dodge Durango, a consistent presence since 2010, is set for a substantial refresh, with its successor projected to hit the market in 2029. This means the existing model will have seen nearly two decades of production before its replacement arrives. Stellantis, the parent corporation, has committed $130 million to modernize the Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson in preparation for the fourth-generation Durango.
Stellantis's Ambitious Investment in American Manufacturing
The $130 million allocated for the Durango's production facility is a fraction of Stellantis's colossal $13 billion investment plan for its US operations through the end of the decade. This represents the most significant financial commitment since Chrysler's inception a century ago, aiming to boost annual production capacity by 50 percent. This comprehensive investment also includes revitalizing the Belvidere Assembly Plant, where $600 million will be spent and 3,300 new positions created by 2027 to manufacture the Jeep Cherokee and Compass.
Strategic Production Shifts and New Product Development
Further demonstrating its commitment to the US market, Stellantis is directing nearly $400 million to the Toledo Assembly Complex. This investment will add over 900 jobs to facilitate the production of a new Ram mid-size truck, commencing in 2028. Initially, production for this truck was slated for Belvidere, but the company has since opted to relocate it to Ohio. Additionally, the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan is undergoing a $100 million retooling for a large gas-powered SUV and a range-extended electric vehicle set for 2028, creating more than 900 employment opportunities. A new four-cylinder combustion engine, codenamed \u201cGMET4 EVO,\u201d will also be produced in Indiana starting in 2026, backed by a $100 million investment and generating over 100 new jobs.
Chrysler's Ambiguous but Promising Future
Amidst these announcements for Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, the future of the Chrysler brand remains somewhat vague. Despite the lack of specific new model details, Chrysler is not being sidelined. It now boasts a dedicated design studio, and Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles suggests the brand is \u201cripe for a new chapter.\u201d The strategy for Chrysler involves \u201cexperimenting\u201d to fill market gaps within Stellantis's diverse portfolio and attract entirely new customer segments. While an earlier plan for Chrysler to go fully electric by 2028 has been revised, future products will utilize the flexible STLA Medium and STLA Large platforms, accommodating both traditional combustion engines and electric powertrains. Stellantis has pledged to introduce five new vehicles and 19 \u201crefreshed products\u201d across its brands by the close of 2029, with hopes that a portion of the substantial investment will contribute to Chrysler's resurgenc