Multinational automaker Stellantis has announced that it will invest more than $406 million to support its multi-energy strategy and build products like the new Ram 1500 Ramcharger and Ram 1500 REV. The hefty investment will go into three Michigan-based facilities, including the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, which is where Stellantis will build its first battery-electric vehicle.
As part of Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 plan, the company will also make investments to retool the Warren Truck Assembly Plans, where it will produce a “future electrified Jeep Wagoneer.” Jeep has previously said that plug-in hybrid variants of the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer will be introduced in 2025, likely utilizing the range-extender technology from the Ramcharger pickup.
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant
The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant will receive a $235.5 million cash flow injection and will produce Ram’s electrified pickup trucks. “BEV-specific installations” have already been completed, with the automaker introducing a new automation process and conveyor system. Workstations have also been retooled to produce electric vehicles, range-extender drivetrains, and combustion engines on the same production line.
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As a reminder, the Ram 1500 REV is based on the STLA Frame platform, which has been created specifically for full-size EVs with a body-on-frame design. A range of up to 500 miles is possible with the 229 kWh battery pack, and 350 miles with the standard 168 kWh battery. As for the Ramcharger, it pairs a 92 kWh battery pack with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that acts as a generator. The combined range is pegged at an impressive 690 miles.
“Sterling Heights Assembly has performed an incredible transformation in record time and I want to thank our colleagues for this great achievement. 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.”
– Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO
Warren Truck Assembly And Dundee Engine Plants
The remaining part of the investment will be poured into the Warren Truck Assembly and Dundee Engine plants. WTAP will receive a $97.6 million boost, which will secure the production of the electrified Wagoneer. It will be built on the same production line as the regular Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models.
Over at the Dundee Engine Plant, $73 million will be used to retool the facility. This will allow for the assembly, welding, and testing of battery trays for the STLA Frame architecture, as well as the front/rear beams of the STLA Large platform. Production will commence in 2024 for the former and 2026 for the latter. DEP will also build the new GME-T4 EVO powerplant, which is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder to be used in hybrid electric vehicles from 2025.
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