Stellantis has confirmed plans to shift production of its Jeep Compass SUV from Brampton, Ontario, to its newly reopened Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The move follows months of uncertainty after production in Canada was paused earlier this year amid escalating U.S. trade tensions and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
A $13 Billion U.S. Expansion Plan
In a statement released Tuesday, Stellantis announced a sweeping US$13 billion investment to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint, the largest in the company’s history. A significant portion, over US$600 million, will go toward reopening and upgrading the Belvidere facility, which is expected to begin operations in 2027 and create roughly 3,300 new jobs.
“As part of this announcement, we will move one model from Canada to the U.S.,” Stellantis said. “We have been in Canada for over 100 years, and we are adding a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant to support growing demand for the Chrysler Pacifica and the new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R/T models.”
The company maintained that Canada remains an important part of its strategy, adding, “We have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government.”
Unifor: “We Intend to Hold Stellantis Accountable”
The reaction from Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, was swift and pointed. “Stellantis committed Brampton autoworkers, to our governments, and to this country,” said Vito Beato, vice-chair of the Unifor-Stellantis bargaining committee. “We intend to hold Stellantis to everything it promised.”
Unifor National President Lana Payne called on both federal and provincial governments to act decisively. “Stellantis cannot be allowed to renege on its commitments to Canadian workers,” she said. “Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this country’s top priority.”
Political Leaders Push Back
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed concern over the announcement, calling it a “direct consequence of current U.S. tariffs and potential future U.S. trade actions.” He affirmed that Ottawa, along with Ontario and Unifor, is “working with the company to develop the right measures to protect Stellantis employees and create new opportunities in and around Brampton.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford struck a similar tone, saying he was “deeply disappointed” with the company’s decision to prioritize U.S. investment. “I will never stop fighting for Ontario’s world-class auto workers,” Ford said, noting that no provincial funding will be released until Stellantis provides clear assurances on the future of the Brampton plant.
Ford also renewed calls for the federal government to maintain tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and highlighted Ontario’s $20 million POWER Centres initiative to retrain displaced autoworkers.
Brampton Feels the Fallout
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown called the move a “step backward” for the city’s 3,000 Stellantis workers and their families. “This announcement is disheartening for thousands of highly skilled and loyal employees who have given so much to this industry,” he said, urging the federal government to develop a coordinated national strategy to safeguard auto manufacturing in Canada.
The announcement comes after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly dismissed prospects for a comprehensive auto trade deal with Canada, further straining cross-border industry relations.
What’s Next for Brampton
The Brampton Assembly Plant, once central to Stellantis’ North American operations, has now been idle since February. While Stellantis insists future plans are forthcoming, local leaders and unions remain skeptical.
For now, the uncertainty looms large. Canada’s auto sector bolstered in recent years by promises of electric vehicle investments faces another test of its resilience in a rapidly shifting global trade landscape.
