BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) – Displays meant to showcase the Belvidere Assembly’s products sit empty. The rusty ramps surround a silver logo for Stellantis, which produces cars like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Fiat.
But the plant has sat empty since February 2023.
“It hasn’t been an easy road,” said Matt Frantzen. The United Auto Workers Local 1268 president mentioned his hope for reopening hasn’t yet hit the road.
The Belvidere Assembly Plant on May 5, 2026.(WIFR)
“I can’t wait for the day that we’re running those cars off the end of the line.”
Stellantis and UAW representatives toured the idled facility April 30. Frantzen shared in a social media post the following day an update on conditions inside: “The team was impressed with the condition of the plant, but also had some concerns in areas such as the paint shop.”
“The meetings we had last week and even the meetings we have later this week, it’s trending in the right direction,” the local president told WIFR. “A few robots and a couple of alterations, we could be back up and running.”
The union and automaker will meet again starting May 6. Frantzen says the focus will be a launch agreement.
“It’s a small step in the direction that we need to end up in,” he said.
Frantzen describes the agreement as defining terms not mentioned in the contract with Stellantis from 2023. Ahead of expected production on the Jeep Compass and Jeep Cherokee, a launch deal could define a “launch team,” their responsibilities, reopening logistics and other matters like overtime.
“You definitely need it to basically outline a start to finish.”
The local president identified his priorities ahead of the Stellantis meeting: a timeline.
In October 2025, the automaker announced a $600 million investment for Belvidere. It claimed production would launch in 2027, creating about 3,300 jobs.
Frantzen asserts the first Jeep Compass may not leave the assembly line until June 2028 — a month after the Stellantis-UAW contract ends.
“I’m not concerned about that at all,” clarified Frantzen. ‘We’ll be back in there as long as there’s no issues on lead time for different machinery that we may need.”
He suggested a launch agreement’s timeline could show the company’s faith in Belvidere. If the deal covers years from 2026 through 2030, Frantzen feels production may extend beyond the Jeep Compass.
“I’ve been hearing they want to have an extended launch agreement. And with that, sounds to me like multiple vehicles.”
WIFR reached out to Stellantis for comment. In a statement, the automaker shared its October 2025 announcement and added:
“Stellantis is looking forward to reopening the Belvidere Assembly Plant, which will create thousands of new jobs. To ensure a successful launch, the company and the UAW will negotiate a launch agreement that supplements the national contract.”
Frantzen also awaits signed dotted lines confirming investments for Belvidere.
“We’re waiting for the final signature on the project money,” he said. “Hopefully, in the next couple weeks, that takes place. Once that happens, I think a lot of people will be able to breathe easy and relax a little bit.”
The local president addressed “naysayers” as well, or those doubting the plant’s relaunch.
“I’m not going to chase the naysayers, but I’ll do it one last time,” he said. “You’ll see we’ll be building these vehicles and potentially have job openings for the naysayers to even apply for.”
WIFR noticed a hiring event inside the assembly Tuesday. Frantzen said the company is staffing up on security as activity returns to the plant.
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