Stellantis is enlisting Toyota’s expertise as it accelerates the development of hybrid and electrified SUVs under its Jeep brand.
The automaker is integrating technology from Blue Nexus—a supplier partially owned by Toyota—as well as systems from Bosch to modernize its electrified lineup. A Stellantis spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that Blue Nexus is supplying components for the new Jeep Cherokee hybrid, while Bosch is providing technology for the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Ram 1500 Ramcharger extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). The company did not specify the exact components involved.
The Jeep Cherokee hybrid, the brand’s first hybrid SUV in North America, features a two-motor electric continuously variable transmission (eCVT) developed by Blue Nexus. This system combines electric motors with a hybrid transmission to boost fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance, a configuration increasingly common in hybrid vehicles.
Blue Nexus was created as a joint venture between Toyota-affiliated suppliers Aisin and Denso, with Toyota holding a 10% stake in the venture. The company has quickly established itself as a major supplier of hybrid components across the automotive industry.
In addition, Stellantis is collaborating with Bosch on its next-generation EREVs. This technology will debut in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer EREV, which pairs electric propulsion with a gasoline-powered generator to recharge the battery as needed. The system is also expected to be used in the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which shares a similar mechanical layout with the Grand Wagoneer.
The partnerships come amid a broader recalibration of Stellantis’ electrification strategy. The company recently reported $25.8 billion in charges after scaling back parts of its EV program, acknowledging it had misjudged the speed of the industry’s shift toward fully electric vehicles.
