Stellantis delays 2026 Dodge Hornet production in Italy due to 25% U.S. import tariff.
Dodge Hornet sales fell 52% in the US and 1% in Canada in the first half of 2025, adding pressure on future production plans.
For the time being, there will be no 2026 Dodge Hornet in Canada or the US.
Stellantis has delayed production of the 2026 Dodge Hornet to examine the effects of current U.S. tariff policies on its Italian-built compact crossover. The company announced the decision on July 14, citing the need to assess how the 25% tariff on imported vehicles from Europe will shape future plans.
The Hornet is assembled at Stellantis’ Giambattista Vico plant in Naples, Italy, alongside its platform sibling, the Alfa Romeo Tonale. When shipped into the U.S., the vehicle is subject to a 25% import tax, which has complicated the automaker’s supply strategy.
This is the latest adjustment by Stellantis in response to tariff-related challenges. Earlier this year, the company removed the base R/T trim of the Charger Daytona from its 2026 lineup, also linking the decision to the impact of tariffs.
Launched in 2023, the Dodge Hornet entered the compact utility segment with both gasoline and plug-in hybrid options. The gasoline-only GT variant starts at US$31,990 ($43,790 in Canada) including destination charges. Dodge positioned the Hornet to appeal to customers seeking some performance advantages in a smaller SUV, rather than competing directly with higher-volume models like the Toyota RAV4. Ultimately, it has proven to be a failure.
The Hornet recorded 20,559 sales in the United States during 2024, its first full year on the market. However, demand has since slowed. Deliveries dropped 52% in the first half of 2025, including a 64% decline in the second quarter to 1,539 units. Canadian sales fell 22% in Q2 for a total of 1,094 so far this year. All of 2,025 units were delivered in 2024.
Stellantis has not provided a revised production timeline for the Hornet, indicating that it will continue monitoring trade developments before finalizing future manufacturing schedules.
Source: Automotive News
