Is Stellantis Planning a Plant Shuffle Under Trump?

With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, Stellantis is preparing for potential changes in its production strategy as the new administration’s policies begin to take shape. Key manufacturing decisions, including where to build future models like the 2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM), are on hold as the automaker assesses the political landscape. 

“We have a couple of options,” Stellantis COO of North America and Jeep® CEO Antonio Filosa said to reporters at the Detroit Auto Show. “Those are things that we are assessing now.”

The all-new Jeep Cherokee, initially slated to join the new Wagoneer S and Recon 4xe at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico, may now be built in the U.S. following Trump’s campaign promises to deter automakers from shifting jobs aboard. In November, Trump warned, “Tell Stellantis that if they plan on moving we’re going to charge them a 100% tariff on every car … and they won’t move.”

Stellantis could also be evaluating whether to restart operations at its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. Once a hub for the Jeep Cherokee (KL), the plant went idle in 2023. Its reopening could create a much-needed boost for the local economy, especially as plans for a new midsized pickup originally scheduled for 2027 have been delayed.

Meanwhile, last week, MoparInsiders reported that Stellantis has temporarily paused development of its Chrysler C6X crossover as it reevaluates its lineup. Chrysler would later issue a statement confirming that. This could signal further production changes, particularly with new administration policies expected to include over 100 executive orders focused on domestic manufacturing under the “America First” plan.

The Cherokee and the upcoming midsized pickup truck are rumored to all be based on the unibody STLA Large architecture. Making a place like the Belvidere facility a possible key focus for the automaker.

As Trump’s administration takes office, Stellantis’ decisions will likely reflect a mix of adapting to regulatory pressures and balancing economic priorities across its North American operations.