Toronto, Ontario — Stellantis is doubling down on its presence in southern Ontario, announcing that the automaker’s Brampton and Windsor production plants are due to receive a total $3.6 billion investment to retool for electric vehicle production.
The announcement was made Monday at Stellantis’ Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, Ont., where the OEM’s North American COO Mark Stewart delivered the news alongside the nation’s highest-ranking political figures, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“These investments reaffirm our long-term commitment to Canada and represent an important step as we move toward zero-emission vehicles that deliver on our customers’ desire for innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility,” said Stewart.
“We’re grateful to both the federal and provincial governments for their shared vision to create a sustainable future. And, to Unifor and our workforce for their support in helping ensure the viability of our Canadian operations for the long-term.”
With this influx of cash, Stellantis’ Windsor Assembly Plant “will be transformed to support production of a new multi-energy vehicle (MEV) architecture that will provide battery-electric (BEV) capability for multiple models,” according to the company’s press release.
The Brampton Assembly Plant, on the other hand, will undergo retooling and modernization starting in 2024 and to be completed the following year.
“Today’s deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is yet another investment in our workers and in our future,” said Prime Minister Trudeau.
“We’re building a world-class Canadian auto industry, an innovative economy and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like.”
With this announcement, both Ontario assembly plants are expected to return to three shift operations in order to support the demand for these new products.
Stellantis says that this investment supports its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan to invest $45 billion through 2025 in electrification and software globally.
This announcement from Stellantis was met with enthusiastic support from Windsor’s Unifor Local 444 President David Cassidy, who echoed a popular sentiment in the Canadian auto community.
“We have always said: ‘if you want it built right, build it in Windsor,’ and securing the future of our plant means Windsor will continue to be an auto town for generations to come,” said Cassidy.
