September 20, 2024
Benoit-Charette
Stellantis is preparing to replace its iconic Dodge Durango with a more compact model called the Stealth. The latter will be assembled in Windsor, Ontario, according to Sam Fiorani, vice president of global forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions.
Durango production ends in Detroit
At its Detroit plant, Stellantis also produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee. According to Sam Fiorani, Stellantis has no plans to create a new Dodge model derived from the Jeep. “The model that will fill the gap in the Dodge lineup will be launched in early 2027,” he said in an email to Automotive News Canada on September 16.
The Stealth: Return of a Legendary Name
According to Automotive News (the main American site), the Stealth will be a five-seater SUV built on the STLA Large platform, capable of accommodating both thermal and electric engines. However, the precise assembly location has not been confirmed by this source. This is not the first time that the Stealth name appears in the Dodge range. In 1990, the brand launched a luxury sports coupe under this name, in partnership with Mitsubishi, before withdrawing it from the market in 1996.
The Windsor plant: a strategic crossroads
In addition to the new Dodge Stealth, Stellantis will also produce the new version of the Dodge Charger there. The plant continues to assemble the Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid and Grand Caravan minivans. Sam Fiorani also mentioned that a Chrysler model will be added to the Windsor production line in early 2026.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which accuses the automaker of moving production of the Dodge Durango out of the United States, in violation of commitments made in a labor contract signed in 2023.
The transition of the Dodge Durango to the Stealth model marks a turning point for Stellantis and its strategy in the SUV market. The change, which comes with union challenges, underscores the importance of managing the company’s relationships with its workers as the auto industry moves toward more sustainable technologies and more globalized production.
Original content from auto123.
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