A new leak from Stellantis dealer circles suggests the Jeep Wagoneer could soon be dropped, or at least suspended, as the company reorganizes its U.S. production footprint in response to new tariffs and political pressure. According to internal discussions, Stellantis may pause Wagoneer production to free up capacity at Warren Truck Assembly for expanded Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 manufacturing.
The timing aligns with Stellantis’ announcement of a $10 billion investment in U.S. operations, with half of that—around $5 billion—earmarked for Michigan facilities, including Sterling Heights and Warren Truck. The strategy would help the automaker bypass a 25% tariff on heavy-duty trucks built in Mexico by shifting production back to American plants, a move expected to please both the White House and the UAW.
CEO Antonio Filosa’s team reportedly views this as a two-pronged solution: bringing jobs back to Michigan while avoiding billions in tariff losses over the next four years. Reopening or retooling U.S. facilities not only saves money long-term but also boosts Stellantis’ image as an “America-first” manufacturer—a key talking point amid shifting trade policies.
Dropping the Wagoneer doesn’t appear to be permanent. Industry sources say the model’s lower profit margins compared to the Grand Wagoneer make it the more logical short-term sacrifice. With the Grand Wagoneer already struggling to find its market footing, Stellantis appears focused on cutting complexity and optimizing space for new Ram performance and heavy-duty models.
The rumored restructuring also aligns with Stellantis’ recent direction under Tim Kuniskis, who has emphasized profitability over electrification mandates. The company’s push toward V8-powered vehicles like the Ram 1500 Supercharged HEMI and upcoming Charger/Cuda variants shows a clear shift back to internal combustion and consumer demand.
If confirmed, the Wagoneer’s temporary removal would mark the latest in a series of cost-cutting and re-industrialization efforts meant to stabilize Stellantis’ North American portfolio. Between tariffs, shifting labor agreements, and U.S. political changes, the automaker seems to be positioning itself to weather the next decade on its home turf.
