Dodge could have discovered new life as a V8 model as soon as extra, giving each mannequin throughout the getting older Durango lineup a V8 as normal for 2026 and reportedly investigating whether or not the Charger Sixpack’s inline-six will be changed with a V8, too. However all’s not nicely for the model’s bread-and-butter mannequin. We’re not speaking concerning the dismal demand for the electrical Charger Daytona, however fairly the compact Hornet SUV. Regardless of being a really completely different prospect for the model in comparison with its ‘Brotherhood of Muscle’ picture, the idea of an reasonably priced, highly effective crossover that might compete with the Toyota RAV4 was one thing that made monetary sense for the model at a time when the remainder of its lineup was, for lack of a greater time period, archaic.
However after promoting 20,500 automobiles final yr, the Hornet’s future is unsure, with firm executives suggesting it may not return for the 2026 mannequin yr.
Trump’s Tariffs Would possibly Have Killed Dodge’s RAV4 Rival
The doubts behind the Hornet’s future stem from the import tariffs applied by the Trump administration, which have pushed the automotive business right into a state of uncertainty. The Hornet is produced completely in Italy, at Stellantis’s Naples, Italy facility, alongside its Italian sibling, the Alfa Romeo Tonale. As such, it is impacted considerably by tariffs, and given its reasonably priced price ticket of circa-$30,000, it is bought the least wiggle room for sudden worth hikes. Its identification was constructed round being essentially the most highly effective compact crossover within the US for below $30,000, so a sudden hike to $35,000 can be catastrophic for its advertising and marketing identification.
Dodge chief govt Matt McAlear delved into the problems going through the Hornet. Talking with The Detroit Information, McAlear defined how manufacturing of the Hornet has been paused indefinitely, with the tariff state of affairs in charge. Dodge rushed to import all remaining 2025 Hornets earlier than important 27.5% tariffs kicked in, which means the inventory in America proper now could be successfully all there’s. The Dodge customer-facing web site lists 1,093 mannequin yr 2025 automobiles, both in inventory or in transit, with zero in manufacturing. There are, nonetheless, 2,006 in inventory from the 2024 mannequin yr. It is unclear whether or not there are extra coming in, however a couple of thousand will simply promote out earlier than the top of the yr.
A Few Thousand Hornets Left In The Nest
After that, nonetheless, the Hornet could possibly be useless within the water. “If the tariffs do not change then there will not be a ’26 mannequin yr,” McAlear advised The Detroit Information. Seller and die-hard followers may not mourn the lack of a four-cylinder compact crossover, which is hardly consultant of the Dodge model identification, however the Hornet was a fun-to-drive crossover that introduced in much-needed gross sales for the model. In 2024, Dodge bought 20,559 Hornets, representing 14.5% of complete model gross sales. In H1 2025, the 5,647 Hornets bought equate to 11.9% of the model’s complete H1 gross sales.
In 2025 thus far, the Hornet has been Dodge’s second-best vendor, trailing considerably behind the 34,399 Durango SUVs which have discovered new homeowners. With a pivot to a V8-only lineup for 2026, the Durango will doubtless proceed in its best-selling position for the model. We’re additionally anticipating an uptick in gross sales of the Charger when the Sixpack begins rolling out at tempo, and if the rumors show true and the Hemi finds its method again into the Charger, Dodge could have a gentle stream of patrons who nonetheless need V8s.
However for the Hornet, its future is unsure. The Alfa Romeo Tonale is prone to meet the identical destiny if the tariff state of affairs does not change quickly, which means the mannequin that was meant to avoid wasting Alfa Romeo’s US gross sales could possibly be useless within the water, too.
Supply: The Detroit Information (Subscription required)