Stellantis revealed on Tuesday a $13 billion investment plan for expanding its U.S. manufacturing capacity over the next four years. This decision will result in shifting production of the Jeep Compass from Ontario to Illinois, raising concerns about Canadian employment opportunities. The company, previously known as Chrysler, stated that the Jeep Compass production would be relocated from the Brampton Assembly Plant to the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
The investment by Stellantis is expected to boost its U.S. vehicle production by 50% and create over 5,000 new jobs. However, in Canada, this move has sparked criticism from Unifor national president Lana Payne, who expressed concerns about the impact on Canadian auto jobs. The Brampton Assembly Plant has been shut down since early 2024 for retooling, which was halted in February due to looming tariff threats.
Payne urged the government to take action to safeguard these jobs, emphasizing that Stellantis should honor its commitments to Canadian workers. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown also expressed disappointment over the decision, highlighting its setback in modernizing and retooling the facility, which had offered hope to thousands of workers and their families.
The $13-billion investment in the U.S. by Stellantis comes at a challenging time for the Canadian auto industry, facing uncertainty and financial pressure due to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the decision to the current U.S. tariffs and potential trade actions, emphasizing the government’s efforts to support Brampton employees and create new opportunities for them.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed his disappointment with Stellantis, vowing to continue fighting for the province’s autoworkers. He emphasized that no provincial funds have been allocated to the Brampton project and demanded assurances from Stellantis before any future support. Stellantis reassured that Canada remains a priority for them, with plans for the Brampton plant to be shared after discussions with the Canadian government.
LouAnn Gosselin, head of communications for Stellantis in Canada, emphasized the company’s longstanding presence in Canada and ongoing investments. She mentioned plans to add a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario. Auto industry analysts anticipate such strategic moves from Stellantis in response to evolving tariff dynamics, putting pressure on the company to reconsider its investment and manufacturing strategies.
