Stellantis STLA One Platform to Debut With Next-Gen Jeep Cherokee

STLA One Platform to Debut in the United States

Stellantis will introduce its new STLA One Modular Platform in the United States through the next-generation Jeep Cherokee, marking the platform’s U.S. debut. The Cherokee is planned for production at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, giving the facility a central role in the company’s next vehicle architecture program. The launch is part of Stellantis’ broader effort to establish a modular development and manufacturing approach that can support multiple vehicle programs while improving efficiency and reducing complexity. The move also links the future Cherokee program directly with the company’s longer-term plans for wider STLA One adoption across its global portfolio.

Belvidere Plant Investment Raised Above USD 800 Million

Stellantis plans to raise its investment in the Belvidere Assembly Plant to more than USD 800 million, compared with the previously announced USD 600 million commitment. More than USD 60 million has already been spent on upgrades at the Illinois facility. Pilot production is expected to begin in the first half of 2028, while retail production is targeted for the second half of 2029. The investment is intended to prepare the plant for production of the next-generation Jeep Cherokee and support the manufacturing requirements associated with the new platform. These milestones provide a defined timeline for the facility’s transition toward the upcoming vehicle program.

STLA One Designed to Improve Development and Manufacturing

The STLA One Modular Platform is designed to simplify vehicle development, improve manufacturing efficiency, and reduce costs. Its modular architecture is intended to give Stellantis greater flexibility in developing and producing different vehicle models while reducing complexity across programs. For the Cherokee, the platform will form the technical foundation of the next-generation vehicle planned for production in Illinois. Stellantis’ approach also reflects a broader focus on using common architectures to support scale and manufacturing efficiency. By standardizing key elements across vehicle programs, the company aims to make future product development and industrialization more efficient without changing the platform’s core purpose.

Platform Planned for More Than 30 Models Globally

Stellantis plans to expand STLA One beyond the next-generation Jeep Cherokee, with the company targeting use of the platform across more than 30 models globally by 2035. The planned rollout indicates that the architecture is intended to become a significant part of Stellantis’ future product strategy rather than remain limited to a single vehicle program. The Belvidere project therefore represents an early U.S. application of a platform designed for broader global deployment. If the planned production schedule is maintained, pilot production in 2028 and retail production in 2029 will establish the first major milestones for the Cherokee program and the wider STLA One strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the next-generation Jeep Cherokee begin production?
The next-generation Jeep Cherokee is scheduled to enter pilot production in the first half of 2028, followed by targeted retail production in the second half of 2029 at Stellantis’ Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The program will introduce the STLA One Modular Platform to the U.S. market and represents a significant investment in the facility. Stellantis plans to increase its total investment in Belvidere to more than USD 800 million, while more than USD 60 million has already been spent on plant upgrades. The platform is ultimately planned for use across more than 30 global models by 2035.