Politics
JUST IN: Massive Automaker Announces It’s Bringing 1,500 Jobs Back To America
In a major win for American manufacturing, Stellantis has announced that it will be making significant investments in its operations in the U.S., further reinforcing its commitment to American workers and production. The parent company of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler, has announced it is bringing 1,500 jobs back to its Illinois plant from Canada.
The automaker is set to produce a new mid-sized pickup in Illinois, while the next-generation Dodge Durango will be built at its Detroit complex. The announcement comes just days after a meeting with President Donald Trump, signaling what many are calling the beginning of a manufacturing resurgence under his leadership.
The move is expected to have a ripple effect across the auto industry and bring renewed economic energy to the Midwest. The automaker plans to construct a new midsize pickup truck at its previously closed Belvidere, Illinois, facility, as detailed in an internal memo seen by Bloomberg.
In 2023, Stellantis committed to constructing a new $3.2 billion battery plant and investing $1.5 billion in Belvidere to produce new midsize trucks by 2027. However, these plans were postponed in August. On Wednesday, the Italian-American automaker reassured employees through a memo that it would proceed with these investments.
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“These actions are part of our commitment to invest in our US operations to grow our auto production and manufacturing here,” Antonio Filosa, the head of Stellantis’ North American operations, stated in the memo. “We have shared with the UAW all these actions and our desire to work together to strengthen our great company.”
“This victory is a testament to the power of workers standing together and holding a billion-dollar corporation accountable,” UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement. The company also pledged a substantial investment in Kokomo, revealing intentions to commence Phase II of the GME-T4 EVO engine production starting in 2026, a move that reverses earlier plans to relocate work overseas.

Kokomo – May 5, 2024: Ram 1500 SST display at the Stellantis Transmission plant. Ram offers the 1500 with a Straight Six Turbo engine. MY:2025
The $1.5 billion investment is scheduled for completion by 2027 and is anticipated to generate numerous jobs in the region. The move aligns with industry trends as automakers respond to potential pressures from President Trump’s consideration of imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which aims to boost U.S. production.
Trump has proposed significant tariffs on foreign imports aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce the federal deficit. His plans include imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on imports from various countries and up to 60% on goods from China.
Tariffs are taxes levied on imported goods, collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at entry points. Legally, the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce; however, Congress has delegated certain authorities to the president.
Under statutes such as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the president can impose tariffs under specific conditions, such as addressing unfair trade practices or threats to national security. However, the extent of this authority, especially for broad, across-the-board tariffs, is subject to legal interpretation and potential challenges.
