After a turbulent 2024 marked by declining sales and public backlash over discontinued V8s, Stellantis is making its most aggressive push yet to rebuild its U.S. operations. According to Bloomberg and Reuters reports, the automaker plans to pour $10 billion into American factories, with roughly half of that earmarked for Michigan, where Warren Truck Assembly and Sterling Heights Assembly (SHAP) will see significant retooling and rehiring efforts.
The move isn’t optional — it’s survival. The Trump administration’s newly enforced 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks built in Mexico have left Stellantis with two choices: pay the penalty or shift final assembly of Ram 2500 and 3500 models back to the U.S.. Sources inside the company and the UAW indicate that Stellantis is choosing the latter, aligning with new federal priorities favoring domestic auto production.
Warren Truck, which has seen over 1,500 workers laid off for more than a year, is expected to be one of the first plants revived. The retooling could come at the cost of the standard Wagoneer, which may be suspended in favor of expanding truck and SUV production alongside the Grand Wagoneer.
Insiders also confirm that Stellantis is reconsidering its V8 strategy, with renewed investment in Dodge and Jeep performance divisions. CEO Antonio Filosa has reportedly pushed to “reconnect with customers” after the company’s decision to cut HEMI engines in 2023 led to steep sales losses. Bloomberg’s report notes that Stellantis is now preparing for a “Dodge V8 muscle car revival”, signaling that Filosa and Dodge brand CEO Tim Kuniskis are aligning on restoring powertrains that made the brand iconic.
Analysts expect this investment wave to unfold over several years, targeting both reopened facilities and new vehicle lines built in the United States. The move not only strengthens Stellantis’ footing with U.S. labor groups and voters but could also qualify the automaker for tariff relief — provided final assembly takes place domestically.
As one industry insider put it: “Stellantis doesn’t have a choice. It’s either move production home or lose money on every truck they sell.”
