Dodge postpones 2026 Hornet production due to steep U.S. tariffs, impacting Canadian availability despite tariff-free access to that market.
Stellantis has postponed production of the 2026 Dodge Hornet, citing the impact of U.S. import tariffs on its Italian-built compact crossover. The decision ripples into Canada, even though the Hornet would otherwise enter the country tariff-free under trade agreements.
“Production of the Dodge Hornet, which is built in Italy, is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies,” Stellantis Canada said in a statement.
The Hornet, assembled in Naples, Italy, has been a cornerstone of Dodge’s reentry into the compact crossover segment since its 2023 debut. Sharing its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet offers two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that pairs a 1.3-liter turbo-four with an electric motor, producing 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Dodge touts the hybrid as the “most powerful utility vehicle in the segment,” capable of 53 kilometers of electric-only range.
Despite its performance credentials, sales have stumbled. In its first full year (2024), Dodge moved 20,559 units in the U.S., but deliveries plunged 52% in the first quarter of 2025. Canadian sales, while modest, mirrored the slowdown, with only 551 units sold in early 2025, compared to 2,371 total sales in 2024.
The tariff in question — a 25% levy on imported vehicles — primarily affects U.S. pricing and availability, but because the American market drives overall production volumes, Canadian customers are feeling the consequences.
In addition to the Hornet delay, Stellantis has quietly discontinued the lower R/T trim of the Canadian-built Charger Daytona, citing the same U.S. tariff pressures.
For now, Dodge dealers on both sides of the border will continue selling 2025 Hornets, which start at just under US$30,000 in the U.S. and C$41,495 in Canada. No timeline has been given for when 2026 production might resume.