Stellantis Is Building More HEMI V8s to Keep Up With Demand
After a big push into the realm of Hurricane I6, Stellantis is feeling the eight-cylinder hurt and realizing buyers want V8s more than anything else.
In an effort to combat demand that is far exceeding supply, Ram is working to ramp up production after underestimating demand for its revived V8 engine.
Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis revealed that Stellantis built roughly 30,000 HEMI V8s in 2025 despite receiving orders for more than 50,000. For 2026, the company plans to produce over 100,000 engines, more than tripling last year's output. We're not surprised by the I6 not having the buyer backing that Hemi does.
The bottleneck stems partly from production logistics. Stellantis was building its V8 engines at the Saltillo Engine Plant in Mexico, which also manufactures its newer twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six. Balancing production between the two powertrains has proved challenging as demand for both remains strong.
The HEMI's comeback follows Stellantis' decision to drop the engine from the Ram 1500 for 2025, replacing it with Hurricane six-cylinder options. The move didn't sit well with traditional truck buyers, prompting Ram to bring back the 5.7-liter V8 for the 2026 model year. Yours truly fully supports the notion.
The larger 6.4-liter HEMI remains available in heavy-duty Ram trucks, while the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is set to power the returning Ram 1500 TRX. Dodge and Jeep also have V8-powered models that help keep the engine family relevant.
Stellantis' production target suggests the HEMI isn't merely surviving on nostalgia. The company is responding to customers who still want the sound, character, and familiar performance of a V8. Whether production can catch up remains to be seen, but the engine's future looks considerably healthier than it did a year ago. Given how convoluted the Hurricane I6's launch, existence, and production has been, we're here for backing up into the simplicity of the good 'ol honkin' HEMI V8.
Based in Connecticut, Ross hosts The Hooniverse Podcast. He has been in the off-road world since he was a kid riding in the back of his dad’s YJ Wrangler. He works in marketing by day and in his free time contributes to Hooniverse, AutoGuide, and ATV.com, and in the past has contributed to UTV Driver, ATV Rider, and Everyday Driver. Ross drives a 2018 Lexus GX460 that is an ongoing build project featured on multiple websites and the podcast.
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The performance numbers may be with other power plants, but nothing beats a V8.
Gee why are they doing this ?????? BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO BUY !!!!!!Not EVs !!!! Get it ? GOOD .