Members of the United Auto Workers voted to ratify new contracts with the Big Three and with Mack Trucks, after the truck maker handled its own 39-day strike. The UAW has developed documents for workers at each vehicle manufacturer that highlight products and capabilities for existing and new facilities. The Stellantis workers’ document outlines a host of the automaker’s heavy-duty electrification plans for trucks and SUVs, including an expected battery-electric trim for the Jeep Wrangler by 2028, as well as a Wrangler with an extended-range hybrid powertrain.
Let’s work our way to that. Keeping in mind that these plans could change, according to the paperwork, 2024 welcomes an updated version of today’s Ram 1500 found on the DT chassis and the introduction of the Ram 1500 REV and battery-electric trims. In the same year, the Jeep Grand Cherokee receives updates.
The current Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are getting a “PHEV upgrade” in 2025. The Wrangler already offers a plug-in hybrid in its very popular 4xe model; The Gladiator will get its first crack at a PHEV. It’s not clear if this is an upgraded version of the current 4xe system or something new. The current Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models built on the WS platform will also be refreshed in 2025 and look to be joined by two new models on the STLA Frame platform – the Stellantis architecture for trucks like the new Ram 1500 REV. These new models will run on Ram’s debut Range Electric Paradigm Breaker (REPB) powertrain, using electric motors exclusively to power the wheels and using a small motor as a generator to replenish the battery.
Also in 2025, the Dodge Durango bows today, making way for the next-generation Durango with internal combustion and battery-electric powertrains to arrive in 2026.
A lot of things will happen in 2027. The new Grand Cherokee will come to life with ICE and BEV engines. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer get a second life cycle refresh as battery-electric versions go on sale. “All new mid-size trucks” are headed to the Belvedere plant. This could mean the midsize Dakota picking up Ram, fulfilling the hopes of some truck shoppers that it will be at least 10 years old by then if it happens.
The Wrangler and Gladiator continue in their current generations until 2028, when the new J70-generation Wrangler begins rolling off the Toledo assembly plant lines with a REPB powertrain and possibly an independent suspension. There’s no mention of a Gladiator truck after 2028, so the other midsize truck listed for 2027 could be a new Gladiator or something different for the Jeep brand — perhaps a more work-focused hauler?
When it comes to vehicles, the document is mainly limited to plans that have been proposed or rumored for some time. There’s no mention of entirely new offerings whose future we know nothing about, like Chrysler’s EV and Pacifica, Dodge’s rugged crossovers, the Jeep Recon EV and Wagoneer S, the Compass and Renegade, or the Ram ProMaster truck. The Recon is supposed to come next year, which is when the Wagoneer S was supposed to debut. It is thought that the electric Wagoneer may be delayed and transformed into a battery-electric Grand Cherokee in 2027; The Wagoneer S was supposed to debut under its production name at the beginning of this year. Check out the Stellantis Hourly Highlighter for yourself to get all the information.
