LAST GLIMPSE: Brampton Assembly Plant Open House

In a bittersweet moment for Mopar enthusiasts and history aficionados alike, Stellantis recently opened its doors to a select group of visitors for a final tour of the Brampton Assembly Plant, nestled just outside Toronto, Ontario. This momentous occasion allowed attendees to witness the heartbeat of an automotive era as production winds down for the iconic Dodge Challenger (LA), Dodge Charger (LD), and Chrysler 300 (LX) models – a trio that has left an indelible mark on the muscle car landscape.

The Brampton Assembly Plant, a sprawling facility spanning 2.95 million square feet across 269 acres, has been the birthplace of automotive legends for decades. Since its inception in 1986 and subsequent acquisition by Chrysler Corporation in 1987, the plant has consistently churned out vehicles that have become synonymous with American muscle and automotive excellence.

Over the years, the plant has seen the birth of an array of remarkable vehicles. The journey for Chrysler Group’s large cars began with the production of LH vehicles, including the Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid, and Eagle Vision, which rolled off the assembly lines in June 1992. This was followed by a succession of hits, from the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) revolution ignited by the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum in 2004 to the thunderous roar of the Dodge Charger’s introduction in 2005.

The Brampton Assembly Plant has played host to some of the most powerful and groundbreaking vehicles to ever hit the road. Enthusiasts will forever remember the awe-inspiring sight of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8, an embodiment of modern engineering prowess and a respectful nod to the legendary muscle cars of the past. Subsequent iterations, such as the Challenger SRT HELLCAT with its astonishing 707-horsepower supercharged HEMI V8 engine, and the even more formidable Challenger SRT Demon, with its title of the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car, cemented the plant’s status as a cradle of automotive excellence.

As the sun sets on the production of these iconic models, a new chapter awaits the Brampton Assembly Plant. Stellantis, in a visionary move, announced a substantial $3.6 billion CAD investment in the plant, as part of its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. With the transformation set to take place in 2024 and production scheduled to resume in 2025, the Brampton facility will embrace an all-new, flexible architecture designed to accommodate the company’s electrification ambitions. This transformation promises to reinvigorate the plant and propel it into the era of sustainable mobility. However, it has yet to be announced what product will be build at the facility after the L-series cars end production.

The Brampton Assembly Plant Open House provided attendees with a unique opportunity to witness the plant’s inner workings one last time before it embarks on a transformative journey into the future. Visitors were able to explore the very workstations that gave life to the Charger, Challenger, and 300 models – vehicles that have become not just modes of transportation, but symbols of power, performance, and the indomitable spirit of automotive enthusiasts worldwide.

A special thanks to Heather Hulmes, for the photos from the open house.

2023 Brampton Assembly Open House Image Gallery:

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