Stellantis is mainly offering plug-in hybrids in the U.S. for now, but plans to ramp up EV sales in the coming years, chasing a goal of 100% battery electric car sales in Europe and 50% electric passenger car and light-duty truck sales in the U.S. by 2030.
Stellantis said on Tuesday it will deploy a new vehicle system that will support assembly of gasoline, hybrid and EV models. However, alongside this innovation, the automaker revealed a significant delay in the production of its highly anticipated Ram electric pickup truck, pushing its release to early 2025. Stellantis unveiled its cutting-edge STLA Frame platform, a versatile foundation that promises to revolutionize vehicle production by supporting gasoline, hybrid, and electric models.
(Image Credit: stellantis)
The Franco-Italian company revealed details about its STLA Frame platform, which will support full-size trucks and SUVs. Platforms are thought of as a skateboard on which many different types of vehicles can be built, and include important electrical and mechanical components of the car.
Stellantis EV hybrid new platform
“We are very focused on the execution of our plan, despite all the difficult challenges that the industry is facing,” said CEO Carlos Tavares on a call with reporters.
Stellantis Ram delayed
Stellantis is delaying production of its electric Ram pickups until the first half of 2025 from this year, citing the need to ensure quality as per Tavares. “We are just facing a very significant amount of workload,” he said.
Global automakers openion on new platform
Automakers in Detroit and elsewhere rushed into building EV-manufacturing capacity over the last two years, only for demand to grow more slowly than anticipated.
The decision of whether to focus on platforms that support EVs versus those that include flexibility for hybrids or gasoline-powered vehicles has split automakers. Ford Motor has leaned into selling hybrid vehicles, while General Motor has focused on battery-powered models after investing more up front into building its own EV platform. GM will start offering plug-in hybrids in 2027, it said.
Stellantis’ goal
Stellantis is mainly offering plug-in hybrids in the U.S. for now, but plans to ramp up EV sales in the coming years, chasing a goal of 100% battery electric car sales in Europe and 50% electric passenger car and light-duty truck sales in the U.S. by 2030.
The global industry faces even greater uncertainty around EV demand if U.S. President-elect carries out plans to unravel various incentives around EV production and sales.
Some of Stellantis’ plug-in hybrids, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, qualify for half of that credit.
The carmaker is confronting slipping sales in North America, which has historically brought in sizable profits thanks to sales of its popular Jeep and Ram vehicles. Tavares changed his management team in an effort to address its high vehicle inventory and slumping stock price, and he is planning to retire at the end of his contract in 2026.
Stellantis’ shares are down about 40% this year.
Stellantis Frame platform
The company announced in 2021 it would design the Frame platform in addition to large, medium and smaller foundations to accommodate different vehicles in its lineup. Ram and Jeep vehicles are the first to use the Frame version, Stellantis said on Tuesday.
Battery electric vehicles on Frame will have up to 500 miles (805 km) of range, and it will offer a 14,000-pound (6,350-kg) towing capacity, the company said. It will also support hydrogen and extended-range electric vehicles.
