Stellantis Delays Production of 2026 Dodge Hornet Due to Tariff Concerns

According to foreign media reports, Stellantis announced on July 14 that it will delay the production schedule for the 2026 Dodge Hornet compact crossover to "assess the impact of U.S. tariff policies." The Hornet is set to be produced at the Giambattista Vico assembly plant in Naples, Italy, and will incur a 25% tariff when exported to the U.S. This delay highlights the impact of the Trump administration’s tariff policies on the global automotive industry. Notably, this is not the first time Stellantis has adjusted product supply due to import tariffs; the company previously announced the cancellation of the base R/T version of the 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona. The Dodge Hornet made its debut in 2023, offering both traditional gasoline and plug-in hybrid versions. As one of Stellantis's more affordable models, the gasoline-only GT version of the Hornet starts at $31,990 (including shipping). In the rapidly growing compact SUV segment, Dodge is attempting to attract attention with a performance-driven brand image rather than practicality. When the Dodge Hornet was unveiled in 2022, then-Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis stated that while the model may not achieve the sales volume of Toyota RAV4, which sells hundreds of thousands, it aims to carve out a niche in the segment by appealing to consumers seeking differentiation. Data shows that in 2024, the first full sales year for the Dodge Hornet in the U.S., the model sold 20,559 units; however, in 2025, its sales performance plummeted, with a 52% year-on-year drop in deliveries during the first half, including a staggering 64% decline in the second quarter, with only 1,539 units delivered. Moreover, production at Stellantis's Italian plants continues to decline, having already experienced a significant drop last year. In the first half of this year, Stellantis's six assembly plants in Italy produced approximately 222,000 vehicles, including about 98,000 light commercial vehicles, a 27% year-on-year decrease. The company is estimated to produce around 440,000 vehicles in Italy this year. Last year, Stellantis produced 475,000 vehicles in Italy, including 283,000 passenger cars, marking the lowest level in nearly 70 years and a 37% decrease compared to 2023. The decline in demand for electric vehicles and vans, along with the suspension of certain models, significantly impacted the company's production in Italy.