Stellantis to invest $1.2 billion in Belvidere, Illinois auto plant set to reopen in 2027

Stellantis has announced that its Belvidere, Illinois, auto plant, located northwest of Chicago, will produce the company’s next mid-sized truck. This decision comes with an investment of $1.2 billion aimed at upgrading the plant, alongside the creation of approximately 1,500 jobs. Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed their support, highlighting the significance of this investment in driving forward a cleaner and more sustainable auto industry.

Previously, the Belvidere plant had been indefinitely idled at the end of February 2023, resulting in layoffs for over 1,000 workers. However, in late October, a new agreement between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers (UAW) led to plans for reopening the facility in 2027. This agreement marked a positive turn for the plant and its employees, restoring hope for the local workforce.

To further boost the plant's prospects, the Biden administration has pledged $330 million to facilitate the production of electric vehicles at Belvidere. This support is seen as a crucial step in modernizing the plant and aligning with national goals for sustainable transportation.

On Tuesday, the UAW confirmed that it had resolved its grievances with Stellantis regarding the reopening and expressed satisfaction with the commitment to reopen the Belvidere plant as scheduled. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also commended the partnership between Stellantis and the UAW, emphasizing the collaborative effort to secure this critical investment for the state.

In addition to the Belvidere plant plans, Stellantis will be introducing the next-generation Dodge Durango at its Detroit Assembly complex and is investing in the Kokomo, Indiana facility to build the GME-T4 EVO engine. This commitment showcases the company’s intention to retain production operations within the U.S., which is a notable shift from prior plans to relocate engine production abroad.