Stellantis Sells Tipton Transmission Plant to Solar Cell Company

Stellantis’ Tipton Transmission Plant in Indiana, a site once bustling with automotive manufacturing activity, has been sold to IRH Manufacturing LLC, marking a pivotal transition for the facility. The plant, which played a vital role in producing transmissions for Stellantis vehicles, will now be repurposed into a solar cell manufacturing hub. This shift is poised to bring hundreds of new jobs to Tipton County, while also highlighting the facility’s rich automotive history.

The Tipton Plant’s Legacy – 

The Tipton Transmission Plant, located at 5880 W. Indiana 28, opened in 2014 after Stellantis (then FCA) invested $162 million to revamp the site for 9-speed transmission production. At its peak, the plant was a major employer in Tipton County, creating over 850 jobs. The facility was responsible for assembling the advanced 9-speed Single Input – Electrically Variable Transmission (SI-EVT) transmission, a key component in vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

In 2022, the plant celebrated a major milestone when it assembled its five-millionth transmission, a testament to its efficiency and importance within Stellantis’ global operations. However, by mid-2023, the plant was idled as Stellantis consolidated its transmission production efforts, moving the Pacifica Hybrid’s SI-EVT transmission to the Kokomo Transmission Plant. The idling of the Tipton plant marked the end of a significant chapter in the local economy, as it had been a major source of employment and industrial activity in the region for nearly a decade.

A New Beginning for the Tipton Facility – 

The sale of the 781,500-square-foot facility to IRH Manufacturing LLC is poised to breathe new life into the site. The solar manufacturing company plans to invest $500 million to convert the plant into a photovoltaic cell fabrication facility, signaling a shift from automotive to renewable energy production. This includes $325 million for new equipment and $175 million for facility improvements. According to Yahoo Financial, retooling is expected to begin in early 2025, with operations slated to start by the fourth quarter of 2026.

Job Creation and Economic Impact – 

The sale of the Tipton plant is expected to significantly boost local employment, with IRH Manufacturing committing to create 700 new jobs. These positions will offer an average wage of $45 per hour, or $93,600 annually, with entry-level salaries starting at $32 per hour. While these new jobs offer hope for the future, they also highlight the facility’s past importance as a major employer for Tipton County.

When Stellantis first opened the plant in 2014, it brought hundreds of new jobs to the area. The facility quickly became an integral part of the local economy, providing stable employment and contributing to the area’s industrial growth. The plant’s closure in 2023, when Stellantis wound down its transmission production, left a void that IRH Manufacturing’s investment is set to fill. The creation of 700 new jobs will once again make the Tipton facility a hub of local employment and industrial activity, albeit in a new, environmentally conscious direction.

The Role of the Tipton Plant in the Pacifica Hybrid – 

At the heart of the plant’s legacy is the production of the SI-EVT transmission for the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. This transmission was a pivotal piece of the Pacifica Hybrid’s advanced powertrain. Designed by FCA US, the system featured two electric motors that could both drive the wheels. Unlike conventional hybrid systems, which rely on one motor as a generator and the other for driving, the Pacifica Hybrid’s system allowed the generator motor to also drive the wheels, resulting in improved efficiency and packaging.

This advanced transmission system, produced at the Tipton plant, was integral to the Pacifica Hybrid’s seamless driving experience. The hybrid vehicle could reach speeds of up to 75 mph (121 km/h) in all-electric mode, providing both performance and efficiency. Once the battery was depleted to a certain threshold, the Pacifica Hybrid transitioned to part-time electric mode, with power supplied by a specially adapted version of the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. This transmission helped distinguish the Pacifica Hybrid as a standout in the hybrid vehicle market.