Wrangler 4xe Hybrid

Make
Jeep
Segment
SUV

Stellantis is a massive conglomerate with its fingers in many pies, one of which is the Lancia brand. Just yesterday, we learned that the Lancia Delta would be revived in 2026 as an all-electric hot hatchback, but Stellantis has bigger plans for electrification than just one Italian brand. This year alone, the group aims to sell 400,000 electric vehicles, but this figure will climb steadily in the coming years as EVs become the norm. With a constant need for more innovation and greater production capacity for electrified hybrids and all-electric vehicles, Stellantis has now announced a $229 million investment in Kokomo, Indiana, where it will retool three plants for the production of "electrified, next-generation, eight-speed transmissions."

This investment is intended to help Stellantis reach its goal of 40% low-emission vehicle sales in the US by 2030 and will retain 662 jobs. The plants that will receive the investment are the Kokomo Transmission (KTP), Kokomo Casting, and Indiana Transmission plants, with these set to produce the company's fourth-generation eight-speed transmission, which Stellantis says will have the ability to be paired with internal combustion engines, mild-hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. The new transmission will make its way to vehicles in the lineups of Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge, and is said to offer improved fuel economy and improved range for hybrids running in pure-electric mode. It will also help traditionally-powered vehicles meet future emissions regulations.

Stellantis Head of Powertrain Operations Brad Clark says that "the new eight-speed is the 'multi-tool' of transmissions," with versatility for a wide variety of applications. In addition to sharing numerous common parts across its various versions, the new transmission will have the flexibility to adapt to various powertrains. At present, the second-generation eight-speed automatic has been in production since 2012, with its 5 millionth unit being built last month. At present, this transmission is offered on the Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, and Cherokee, as well as the Wagoneer range, the Chrysler 300, Ram's 1500 pickup, and Dodge's Charger, Challenger, and Durango models.