Stellantis plants in Warren, Sterling Heights part of $406 million investment plan
Two Macomb County automotive plants are part of a major investment plan by Stellantis to expand electric vehicle production.
Stellantis announced on Wednesday it is investing more than $406 million in three Michigan facilities to support its multi-energy strategy and confirmed that the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant will be the company’s first U.S. plant to build a fully electric vehicle.
The Ram 1500 REV, the Company’s first battery-electric light-duty pickup truck launching in late 2024, and the range-extended all-new 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger will be built alongside internal combustion engine models in Sterling Heights.
Additional investments will be made to retool the Warren Truck Assembly Plant for production of a future electrified Jeep Wagoneer, and the Dundee Engine Plant for battery tray production and beam machining for the STLA Frame and STLA Large batteries.
“Sterling Heights Assembly has performed an incredible transformation in record time and I want to thank our colleagues for this great achievement,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “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.
“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.”
Last month, Stellantis announced it would lay off up to 2,450 workers at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant beginning in October due to production of the Ram Classic 1500 pickup coming to an end this year. Warren Truck Assembly will reduce shifts at the plant from two to one.
The Ram 1500 Classic is being replaced by the Ram 1500 Tradesman, which is slated to be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant.
With an investment of $235.5 million, the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant will produce the company’s first-ever battery electric 2025 Ram 1500 REV light-duty truck. The Ram 1500 REV was unveiled at the 2023 New York Auto Show and will launch in late 2024. The plant will also build the all-new range-extended 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger.
Stellantis partnered with equipment suppliers and contractors to carefully plan and execute the installation of a new conveyor system, new automation for BEV-specific processes, and the retooling and rearrangement of workstations in general assembly to be able to produce ICE, BEV and range-extended models on the same assembly line.
Approximately $97.6 million will be invested at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant for production of a future electrified Jeep Wagoneer, one of four Jeep EVs that will be launched globally by the brand before the end of 2025. Electrified models will be built on the same line as internal combustion engine versions of the Jeep Wagoneer and Wagoneer L as well as the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L.
With an investment of more than $73 million, the Dundee Engine Plant will be retooled to assemble, weld and test battery trays for the STLA Frame architecture and to machine the front and rear beams for the STLA Large architecture. Production will begin in 2024 and 2026, respectively.