The numerous strikes by auto workers in the United States are slowly beginning to fade as agreements between manufacturers and unions are reached. This is also the case of Stellantis and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) who, after several weeks of negotiations, reached an agreement in principle on October 28.
UAW members, who work at Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler, have yet to ratify the agreement, but some information has still leaked into the media. Some of them affected the manufacturer’s vehicle production and the details of Stellantis’ electrification plan. There is talk of the next Wrangler, an SUV that could perhaps become purely electric.
An electric Wrangler in 2028?
Built at the Stellantis factory in Toledo, Ohio, the Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle for the brand. Renowned for its off-road capabilities, the 4×4 SUV has seen various generations succeed one another without any real changes in size for several years. We learn in the agreement that the current generation, nicknamed JL, will be maintained until 2028. An adjustment of the 4xe model is expected for 2025. Otherwise, few changes are planned given that this generation has just experienced an update. mid-term update.
The document becomes intriguing in the section that explains plans for the next generation. This generation will be called J70, according to UAW files, and will arrive on the market from 2028. The agreement stipulates that vehicles of this generation will be offered with 2 powertrains, both electric.
The first will be battery electric, the other will use a combustion engine as a range extender. There is no mention of a pure internal combustion model or a plug-in hybrid, which suggests that only 2 electric variants would be on the menu. Obviously, nothing has been confirmed by the manufacturer, but let’s say that the electric future of the Wrangler seems eminent.
Continuity for the Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee
The monstrous Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer would, according to the agreement, still be offered until 2028 in their current format. A mid-cycle refresh is expected for 2025, and the deal with the UAW calls for an electric version with a range-extending motor to arrive that year. A battery-electric Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer is listed for 2027. Unlike the Wrangler, there’s no mention of a next-generation model or anything beyond 2028. However, a second refresh for the models combustion is mentioned in 2027.
As for the Grand Cherokee, the current model will be on sale until 2027. A mid-cycle refresh is planned for 2024, and a new generation model will appear in 2027 with battery and combustion powertrains, again according to the agreement .
A new Durango and a future Ram mid-size pickup truck?
For those who doubted the survival of the Durango in the Dodge range, the agreement with the UAW seems to stipulate that a next generation is expected for 2026. Built in Detroit, the current generation should bow out in 2025 before making way to a whole new era for the product. Like the Grand Cherokee, the Durango is expected to be offered with both battery-electric and combustion-electric powertrains.
In addition to the Durango, another high-profile rumor in recent months suggests that a former Jeep factory would be converted to manufacture a mid-size pickup truck for the Stellantis group. As Jeep already has the Gladiator in its lineup, everything suggests that Ram’s future mid-size pickup truck is on the way. The latter would be assembled in Belvidere, Illinois.
No information has been confirmed by the manufacturer. As of this writing, this is still a rumor; but it will be interesting to see if it proves itself over the next few months.
