đź•‘3 min read
Stellantis has spent the last several years pushing its U.S. lineup further upmarket, but CEO Antonio Filosa now sees a big opportunity in going the other direction.
Speaking at an industry event in Detroit on September 30th, Filosa said the company wants to expand into more affordable vehicles and smaller pickups as it works to rebuild its North American business.Â
Two are expected to come in under $30,000. That matters because Stellantis simply doesn’t have much to offer buyers shopping at the lower end of the market today.
“We have just one car there today, which is the Jeep® Compass,” Filosa said. “So we know that can get there.”
Teaser shot of the upcoming 2028 Ram Dakota. (Stellantis).
Ram Wants A Bigger Piece Of The Smaller Truck Market
Ram currently plays almost exclusively in the full-size and heavy-duty pickup segments in the United States. That is about to change.
The midsize Ram Dakota is returning, while the smaller Rampage is planned for North America in 2028. The Rampage already exists in South and Central America, but bringing it north would give Ram something much closer to the Ford Maverick.
Filosa acknowledged the compact pickup segment isn’t enormous, “but it is relevant.”
He also made it clear Ram has its eye on the companies already doing well below the full-size segment.
“We want to be relevant and strong where Toyota is very strong with the Tacoma, and Ford is very strong,” Filosa said.
That gives Ram two very different opportunities: Dakota can attack the traditional midsize market, while Rampage gives the brand an entry point for buyers who simply don’t need a full-size Ram 1500.
Fiat Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback are expected to spawn two new Chryslers under $30,000 USD. (Stellantis).
More Vehicles Below $40,000
Affordability is another major piece of the plan.
Stellantis expects to launch 11 new vehicles in North America over the next five years, with seven priced below $40,000 and two below $30,000.
Filosa called that portion of the market a “huge opportunity.”
For years, Stellantis pushed its brands further upscale while transaction prices climbed. Expanding the lineup downward could bring shoppers back into Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram showrooms who have simply been priced out.
It also fits Filosa’s broader “freedom of choice” philosophy: give customers more price points, vehicle sizes, and powertrain options instead of trying to push everyone toward one solution.
2027 Jeep® Grand Wagoneer REV Summit Reserve. (Jeep).
Range-Extenders Remain Part Of The Equation
Stellantis isn’t abandoning electrification either. Instead, Filosa sees range-extended vehicles (REEVs) as another choice for customers who want electric propulsion without relying entirely on charging infrastructure.
The system uses a battery and electric drive system while a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 acts as an onboard generator. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer will get the technology first, followed by the Ram 1500.
“It’s a customer choice more than a compliance choice,” Filosa said.
For Stellantis, the turnaround won’t come from one vehicle. But smaller pickups, lower prices, and more powertrain choices could help rebuild something the company badly needs in America: volume.
Source: The Detroit News
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Robert S. Miller