The union representing workers at Windsor Assembly Plant is optimistic that Stellantis' upcoming slate of new vehicles could lead to more production in Canada, including at the Windsor and idled Brampton facilities.
Union Leader Optimistic After Stellantis Visit
Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart expressed hope for additional production following a visit from Stellantis officials at the Windsor Assembly Plant on Thursday. The event celebrated the refreshed 2027 Chrysler Pacifica, where company leaders confirmed ongoing discussions about where future Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram products will be built, though no final decisions have been made.
"There's absolutely discussions being had," said Matt McAlear, CEO of Chrysler and Dodge brands. "We haven't finalized anything yet, but we're working with partners across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to find the best manufacturing facilities to meet our needs, and the workers of those areas."
Stellantis Canada President Weighs In
Stellantis Canada president Trevor Longley noted that the automaker is exploring all options as it prepares to roll out new products announced during Stellantis' recent Investor's Day on May 21 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company unveiled plans to refresh 12 existing North American products and introduce 11 new vehicles as part of a broader five-year strategy.
"We're exploring all options, frankly, for Brampton," Longley said. "I think what you saw at Investor's Day is that there's a lot of new models coming for the North American brands, so that produces opportunities for where we put those models."
Capacity for More Production
Stewart emphasized that both the Windsor and Brampton assembly plants have capacity to build more vehicles. Windsor Assembly Plant currently produces between 1,200 and 1,300 vehicles per day but has the capacity to reach about 1,500. "You've got to be fully maximized," he said. "That's the way that plants stay successful."
Stewart cited the Volkswagen Routan as an example of how future production could be secured. The minivan was assembled at Windsor from 2008 to 2013 through a partnership between Volkswagen and Chrysler, sharing the assembly line with the Dodge Grand Caravan. He suggested similar partnerships could keep Canadian plants busy.
"I think there's room in our industry in Canada to say to offshore suppliers, we can make deals like we have in the past, like we did in this plant with the Volkswagen Routan," Stewart said. "You can find partners that are willing to boost vehicles together, share some technology, and produce vehicles under different nameplates. I think that's the way you're going to fully maximize facilities in countries like Canada."
