Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover Signed Partnership Deal
The automakers partnered to bring a new Land Rover Defender pickup truck to the United States market.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Trucks
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On May 20, 2026, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding. The two companies intend to collaborate on the production of a Land Rover Defender pickup truck for American buyers.
Why it matters
This strategic move allows Jaguar Land Rover to manufacture vehicles domestically, effectively circumventing tariffs imposed during the second Trump administration. It also enables the companies to tap into the lucrative American truck sector.
The U.S. pickup truck market is currently valued at $80 billion. Production for the new vehicle is likely to take place at the Warren Truck Plant located outside of Detroit.
The players
Stellantis
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group.
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is a British multinational automobile manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and SUVs.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
The details
The collaboration marks a significant effort to revive the Defender pickup, a model that was previously discontinued in 2016. Engineering teams must still determine the ideal platform architecture to ensure the vehicle meets the specific demands of the domestic market.
Timeline
The previous generation of the Defender pickup was discontinued in 2016.
Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover signed the memorandum on May 20, 2026.
Roadmap
This partnership reflects a broader trend of international automakers localizing production to navigate complex trade barriers and regional tariff structures. By utilizing established domestic facilities like the Warren Truck Plant, the manufacturers are positioning themselves to better compete against entrenched domestic rivals.
American consumers can expect a new option in the competitive truck segment once the vehicle enters production. Buyers may also benefit from potential price stability as domestic manufacturing helps the companies avoid the costs associated with international trade tariffs.
The takeaway
The return of the Defender pickup highlights how global automakers are retooling their supply chains to align with domestic regulatory pressures. Shoppers should monitor future announcements regarding the final platform design as it will determine the truck performance and utility.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the sector on our Trucks page.
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Would you consider purchasing a luxury-branded pickup truck if it were available on the market?
