Stellantis Could Offer Internal Combustion Versions of Electrified Models if Customers Want Them
Stellantis isn’t ignoring EVs, but it isn’t ready to move on from internal combustion if that’s what its customers want. Company CFO Natalie Knight told WardsAuto that while the automaker’s upcoming EVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S, could land first as electric-only, they could be revised later to include a hybrid or gas-only option if there’s enough demand.
Knight noted that Stellantis wants to send a message that it’s not shy about electrification but said that it will have to walk the line between progress and appealing to its customers. She also pointed out that 18 of Stellantis’ 25 upcoming vehicle launches will land first as EVs.
The automaker’s platform development supports this, as it will offer vehicles riding on foundations that can handle a range of propulsion technologies.
“So, the majority of our products are either ICE vehicles or intended to utilize those multi-energy platforms that we have. This is a great opportunity for us, compared to our peers, having the multi-energy platforms for all of our products in development and having the agility to move beween them,” she said.
Stellantis only offers a few plug-in vehicles in the U.S., but Jeep’s Wrangler 4xe PHEV is the best-selling vehicle in its category. The company’s approach is likely smart, given that many of its competitors have had to backtrack on plans to go headlong into EVs, as Ford and GM have both announced more hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are on the way to offset wavering demand.
[Image: Jeep/Stellantis]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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In the case of a company like Stellanis and their reputation, perhaps they would have better luck with External Combustion.
In other words...."WE have no idea what we are doing"
Tell me the ICE version is going to weigh less. A 5,800 lb electric Charger just took the worst part of the old Charger and made it 30% heavier.
“So, the majority of our products are either ICE vehicles or intended to utilize those multi-energy platforms that we have. This is a great opportunity for us, compared to our peers, having the multi-energy platforms for all of our products in development and having the agility to move between them,” she said.
From what is stated about the next generation Charger it will be released as a 2 door EV and then as a 4 door with the Hurricane turbo straight 6. I assume both the 2 door and 4 door is on the same platform.