The hammer has officially dropped. The White House has confirmed that all imported heavy-, medium-, and light-duty trucks will now be subject to a 25% tariff, a move that directly targets Stellantis’ Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups built in Mexico. For Stellantis, it’s a clear ultimatum: assemble in America or pay the price.
According to the administration, the tariff is designed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and level the playing field against foreign-built models. The problem? Stellantis currently produces its heavy-duty Rams at its plant in Saltillo, Mexico. That means every truck coming across the border now carries an additional 25% cost before it even reaches dealerships.
The simplest solution — and one insiders say is already on the table — is shifting Ram HD production to the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan. That plant just ended production of the Wagoneer, freeing up space to handle Ram 2500 production almost immediately. The larger 3500s might require more tooling or even another site like Jefferson North, but the capacity exists.
Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, a longtime automotive ally, reportedly helped negotiate the agreement alongside Stellantis leadership. But as sources confirmed, Stellantis’ new CEO Antonio Filosa inherited a mess. Before taking the role, promises were made by the company’s previous chairman to relocate certain production lines back to the U.S. — promises that were never fulfilled. Eight months into the new administration, patience has run out.
The President’s message was simple: “If Honda and Porsche can build new plants here, so can you.” Final assembly in the U.S. will exempt Stellantis from the tariff entirely, but until that happens, the company is on the hook for millions in added import costs.
While this might sting in the short term, industry analysts believe it could ultimately force Stellantis to reinvest in its American operations, a move that benefits both the workforce and the brand’s image. Ram’s loyal U.S. customer base has long pushed for domestic production, and final assembly in Michigan or Texas could restore goodwill — especially as competitors like Ford and GM proudly tout “Made in America” badges.
From a market perspective, the tariff news caused an immediate dip in Stellantis’ stock price, but investors like TK from Auto Intel Daily remain optimistic. “Filosa’s not an idiot,” he said. “He knows it’s cheaper to build here than to eat 25% on every truck. This’ll hurt short-term but fix itself fast.”
If Stellantis moves production quickly, it could avoid prolonged damage and even gain a competitive advantage once its supply lines stabilize. But if they stall, every Ram HD shipped from Mexico becomes a liability — and an expensive one at that.
For now, the message from Washington is loud and clear: build in America, or pay the tariff.
