Stellantis Adds Third Shift in Windsor as Charger Production Ramps Up

Despite ongoing political and labor tensions tied to the relocation of Jeep® Compass (J4U) production to the U.S. and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant, Stellantis Canada is pressing forward with a major expansion at its Windsor Assembly Plant.

As production of the all-new internal combustion engine (ICE) Dodge Charger SIXPACK ramps up, the automaker has officially added a third shift in Windsor—bringing more than 1,000 new hires on board and reinforcing the plant’s growing importance in Stellantis’ North American manufacturing footprint.

From a Stellantis standpoint, Windsor has become one of the most critical plants on the continent. The facility now builds a diverse mix of vehicles, including the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager, Chrysler Grand Caravan, and the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack. With the SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack now in production—and additional SIXPACK variants coming online in early 2026—the demand for labor has surged.

Stellantis confirmed that the third shift is expected to ultimately support approximately 1,500 jobs once fully staffed. Crossing the 1,000-hire mark is a major milestone and signals that the automaker expects sustained demand for its next-generation Charger lineup, spanning both gas-powered and electric performance models.

“Today’s announcement reinforces Canada’s critical role in Stellantis’ global operations,” said Trevor Longley, president and CEO of Stellantis Canada. “For more than a century, we’ve proudly assembled vehicles here – more than 25 million to date. With major investments and a growing workforce, we remain confident in Canada’s talent, innovation and manufacturing strength. As we lead the future of advanced automotive production, we’re thrilled to see our new Windsor Assembly Plant team hit the ground running.”

Windsor Assembly Plant has a long and proud history, particularly with minivan production. The plant has been building Chrysler minivans for 42 years, dating back to 1983, and today produces what remains America’s best-selling minivan family. The Chrysler Pacifica and its related variants also hold the top minivan sales spot in Canada, making Windsor a cornerstone of Stellantis’ high-volume manufacturing strategy.

Earlier this month, Windsor celebrated the official launch of the two-door 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack powered by the new twin-turbocharged SIXPACK engine. At the same time, the plant is producing both two-door and four-door versions of the all-electric 670-horsepower Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack. Additional SIXPACK-powered Charger R/T and four-door models are scheduled to begin production in the first quarter of 2026, further expanding Dodge’s multi-energy muscle car portfolio.

While Windsor is growing, Brampton remains a sensitive subject. Nearly 240 employees from the Brampton Assembly Plant have elected to transfer to Windsor to fill new roles created by the third shift. Stellantis says all other hourly workers impacted by Brampton’s operational pause continue to receive 70% of their salary along with full health benefits—a critical lifeline as uncertainty drags on.

The controversy stems from Stellantis’ decision to shift next-generation Jeep Compass production from Brampton, Ontario, to Belvidere, Illinois. That move followed a pause in retooling work at Brampton and came as part of a broader $13-billion U.S. investment plan aimed at expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity by 50% over four years. The decision ignited backlash in Canada, where government funding had been tied to the Brampton project.

“Stellantis’s decision to move production from Brampton to the U.S. is completely unacceptable,” said Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said earlier this month. “So we’re suing Stellantis. We had a deal; they broke it and we want our money back.”

The Canadian government has since issued a notice of default—a precursor to legal action—arguing that Stellantis violated the terms of its funding agreements. While the federal government has already provided roughly $222 million to the automaker, Ontario has withheld approximately $132 million that was specifically linked to Brampton’s reopening.