Stellantis is implementing significant changes to its manufacturing strategy, with recent updates including changes to both the Dodge Durango than for a new Alfa Romeo electric SUV. According to sources reported by CarSpias In May, Stellantis plans to produce an all-electric Alfa Romeo E-segment SUV (known internally as the A6U) at its Jefferson North assembly plant. Meanwhile, the Windsor Star reported that the next-generation Dodge Durango (known as the D6U) will be built at the Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant.
The new Dodge Durango’s move to Windsor could make way for Alfa Romeo’s new SUV in Detroit
Alfa Romeo’s future SUV, currently nicknamed E-Jetwill be made on the platform STLA Large at Stellantis, specifically designed for electric vehicles. This architecture allows for a range of up to 800 kilometers on a single charge. This represents a major evolution for Alfa Romeo, which aims to consolidate its position in the North American market with a fully electric premium SUV designed specifically for the United States and Canada markets.
What is puzzling in the US is the fact that compared to the Dodge Durango, the future Alfa Romeo E-Jet in the US should guarantee much lower sales numbers being a more exclusive and expensive model. This leaves doubts as to whether this vehicle will guarantee production levels sufficient to preserve the current employees of the factory.
According to the Windsor Star, the move of Dodge Durango production to Windsor represents a significant change for the brand, as in the past this model was produced alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP). The Jeep Grand Cherokee is currently assembled at both JNAP and the nearby Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack. With the Alfa Romeo A6U production starting and lower volumes expected, it remains to be seen whether Stellantis will decide to consolidate Grand Cherokee production into one plant.