Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that the CEO of Stellantis informed him about the automaker’s exploration of a new model to occupy the dormant Brampton, Ont., plant. However, Carney emphasized that a decision regarding production at the Brampton facility will be contingent upon finalizing a revised free trade agreement with the United States.
Stellantis recently disclosed plans to inject $13 billion US into expanding its manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. over the next four years. This investment aims to boost U.S. vehicle production by 50% and create over 5,000 jobs. As part of its restructuring, the company, formerly known as Chrysler, disclosed that the Jeep Compass, originally slated for production at the Brampton Assembly Plant, will now be manufactured at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
The Brampton plant has been non-operational since early 2024 for retooling to accommodate the next generation model, but progress was halted in February due to tariffs introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump to incentivize domestic production. Carney expressed disappointment over Stellantis’ decision to relocate the long-planned Jeep production from Ontario.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly also voiced her concerns, emphasizing the potential legal repercussions if Stellantis fails to honor its commitments made to the federal government for financial support. Carney underscored the implications for Stellantis if it fails to meet obligations, particularly in relation to the Brampton plant, emphasizing the importance of upholding prior agreements.
In response to the situation, efforts are being made to secure alternative models for production in Brampton, with assurances from Stellantis about supporting affected workers. Additionally, plans are underway to add 1,500 new positions on the third shift at the Windsor Stellantis facility to mitigate the impact of the relocation.
Stellantis Canada’s spokesperson, LouAnn Gosselin, reiterated the company’s intention to implement a third shift at its Windsor assembly plant to meet the rising demand for various vehicle models. Premier Doug Ford expressed his commitment to advocating for the retention of Stellantis’ Brampton plant and ensuring that the company fulfills its promises to employees following the decision to shift Jeep production to the U.S.
