Stellantis plans to launch 11 new vehicles in North America over the next five years, with seven expected to start below $40,000 as the automaker looks to expand its presence in the affordable vehicle market. Two of those models are expected to be priced below $30,000.
Stellantis Targets the Affordable U.S. Market
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa outlined the strategy at an auto industry conference in Detroit, saying the company sees a “huge opportunity” in affordable vehicles in the United States, according to the Detroit News.
Filosa said Stellantis currently has only one vehicle priced below $30,000, the Jeep Compass, but believes the company can expand that lineup.
“We have just one car there (below $30,000) today, which is the Jeep Compass,” Filosa said. “So we know that can get there.”
The second vehicle expected to fall below the $30,000 threshold has not been named, although the Ram Rampage compact truck is expected to be part of the push.
Ram Rampage and Dakota Head to North America
Stellantis plans to bring the Ram Rampage to North America in 2028. The compact pickup is already sold in South and Central America, but the North American version will not simply be an imported version of that model.
While the design will remain similar, the U.S.-spec Rampage will be engineered for North America and receive changes related to local regulations, powertrain preferences and manufacturing requirements.
Filosa said Ram was inspired by Ford’s success with the Maverick when it decided to bring the Rampage to the U.S. market.
The automaker is also developing the midsize Ram Dakota. Filosa said the market for such a vehicle is currently “not huge,” but added that it “is relevant.” The Dakota is expected to enter production in 2027 and reach U.S. dealers as a 2028 model.
Stellantis Emphasizes “Freedom of Choice”
Filosa said Stellantis’ new product strategy is centered on “freedom of choice” for consumers. The company also plans to rely on feedback from customers and dealers when determining “exactly what we should change in our product portfolio.”
That approach also applies to Stellantis’ shift toward range-extended trucks and SUVs. Filosa said the strategy is being driven by “customer choice” rather than federal environmental regulations that have since been abandoned by the Trump administration.
Range-Extended Hybrids Join the Strategy
Stellantis lost $26.3 billion, or 22.3 billion euros, last year, largely due to unprofitable electrified models. Filosa said the automaker’s extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, technology is intended to address customer preferences rather than simply meet regulatory requirements.
He described the EREV system as “a perfect powertrain for a niche of customers” who value torque, horsepower and towing capability.
Stellantis’ 647-horsepower range-extended hybrid system combines a battery with a usable capacity of 69.7 kWh and an onboard gas generator, a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine, which can recharge the vehicle while it is moving.
The EREV powertrain will debut on the refreshed Jeep Grand Wagoneer flagship SUV before being introduced on the Ram 1500 REV pickup.
Stellantis’ North American Product Expansion
Along with the planned Ram Rampage and Ram Dakota, Stellantis’ broader North American strategy calls for 11 new vehicles over the next five years, including seven models starting below $40,000. The company is also pursuing range-extended powertrains as part of its effort to expand its U.S. market share.
