--- title: "Stellantis Will Idle Jeep Cherokee Plant ‘Indefinitely’ in 2023, SUV’s Future Uncertain" description: "Stellantis is going to idle the Belvidere, Illinois plant, where the Jeep Cherokee is built, indefinitely in early 2023." date: "2022-12-11" modified: "2022-12-11" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/stellantis-will-idle-jeep-cherokee-plant-indefinitely-in-2023-suvs-future-uncertain" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Stellantis Will Idle Jeep Cherokee Plant ‘Indefinitely’ in 2023, SUV’s Future Uncertain ![]() The Stellantis plant in Belvidere, Illinois, where the [Jeep ]()Cherokee is built, will idle indefinitely come February 28, 2023. Many of the plant's 1,350 employees will face indefinite layoffs which, according a statement Stellantis made to *[WIFR]()* (*h/t to [Jalopnik]()*), could exceed six months. The plant idling is said to be due to several factors. Supply chain shortages and the lack of [Jeep Cherokee]() sales—which are down 61 percent year-to-date—certainly haven't helped. However, the biggest factor is the brand's [switch to electrification](). Stellantis is pretty short on electric vehicles at the moment and it's promised a $31.6 billion investment into electrifying its lineup by 2025. Stellantis also said that it will do its best to place laid off workers in full-time positions elsewhere in the company but there's no guarantee of future employment. As you can imagine, the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union isn't thrilled. ![]() **Jeep** “We are all deeply angered by Stellantis’ decision to idle the Belvidere Assembly plant without a plan for future product,” says UAW Vice President and Director of the Stellantis Department, Cindy Estrada. “There are many vehicle platforms imported from other countries that could be built in Belvidere with skill and quality by UAW members at Belvidere. The transition to electrification also creates opportunities for new product. Companies like [Stellantis ]()receive billions in government incentives to transition to clean energy. It is an insult to all taxpayers that they are not investing that money back into our communities.” It's unclear what the future of the Jeep Cherokee is after its plant stops manufacturing at the tail end of February. However, [*Reuters* ]()reported that Tim Ferguson, shop chairman for UAW Local 1268, said Cherokee production would be moved to Stellantis' Toluca, Mexico plant. We've reached out to Stellantis and will update this space when we get a statement. *Got tips? Send 'em over to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()