Stellantis has unveiled a $13 billion investment plan over the next four years to enhance its manufacturing capabilities in the United States. This move will involve relocating the production of the Jeep Compass from Ontario to Illinois, sparking concerns about Canadian employment prospects.
Formerly operating under the Chrysler name, Stellantis disclosed that the Jeep Compass, initially earmarked for production at the Brampton Assembly Plant, will now be manufactured at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The company anticipates that these fresh investments will boost its U.S. vehicle output by 50% and generate over 5,000 new job opportunities.
However, the shift has prompted Unifor National President Lana Payne to declare that “auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar” in Canada. The Brampton plant, which has been closed since early 2024 for retooling to accommodate the next generation model of the vehicle, had its work suspended in February due to tariff concerns.
Payne urged government intervention to safeguard these positions. Stellantis’s decision has been met with disappointment by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who described it as a regression from the pledge to modernize and upgrade the facility, offering workers and their families optimism for a stable future in auto manufacturing.
Amidst tariff uncertainties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump this year, Stellantis’s substantial investment in the U.S. has placed additional strain on the Canadian auto industry. Prime Minister Mark Carney characterized the move as a direct outcome of prevailing U.S. tariffs and potential future trade actions.
In response, Carney affirmed that the federal government is collaborating with the Ontario administration and Unifor to safeguard Brampton employees and establish fresh avenues for them. Stellantis has assured that it values Canada highly and has forthcoming plans for Brampton, which will be shared following discussions with the Canadian government.
LouAnn Gosselin, Stellantis’s Communications Head in Canada, emphasized the company’s longstanding presence in Canada and its commitment to investment. Notably, Stellantis recently affirmed its intent to introduce a third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant in southwestern Ontario.
Auto industry analyst Tom Venetis remarked that the reports of Stellantis’s investment reallocation were not unexpected, given the evolving tariff landscape. The imposition of new tariffs has compelled Stellantis to reconsider its investment and manufacturing strategies, according to Venetis.