fbpx
ManufacturingStellantis
Trending

Stellantis Will Invest $3.6 Billion CAD Into Its Brampton & Windsor Facilities!

Plants Will Build New Electrified Models...

Stellantis announced earlier today, its plans to invest $3.6 billion CAD ($2.8 billion USD) to secure the future of its Windsor and Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plants and to expand its Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) to accelerate the company’s move to a sustainable future. The announcement also backs the company’s Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan and its long-term electrification strategy to invest $45 billion CAD ($35 billion USD) through 2025 in electrification and software globally.

Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario. (Stellantis).

Stellantis North America COO, Mark Stewart, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made the announcement during an event at the ARDC, which was also attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford; Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne; Ontario Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli; and Unifor Assistant to the National President Shane Wark, as well as other elected officials and community leaders.

Stellantis North America COO Mark Stewart at the investment announcement. (Stellantis).

“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.”

Today’s announcement increases the company’s overall investment in Ontario to $8.6 billion CAD when combined with the Stellantis-LG Energy Solution joint venture battery plant, which will create 2,500 new jobs in the province. It also doubles the investment commitment of $1.5 billion CAD made during the 2020 contract talks. 

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau at the investment announcement. (Stellantis).

“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.” 

“Today is yet another example that our plan to build Ontario is delivering huge wins for workers and communities all over this province,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “Ontario has everything it needs to be North America’s auto manufacturing powerhouse once again. Where other governments stood by and watched jobs flee this province, we are getting it done and ensuring that cars of the future are made in Ontario by Ontario workers.”

Facility Investments – 

A Chrysler Pacifica has sealer applied to its underbody at the Windsor Assembly Plant. (Chrysler).

The Windsor Assembly Plant will be transformed to support the production of a new multi-energy vehicle (MEV) architecture that will provide battery-electric (BEV) capability for multiple models. The plant will have maximum flexibility to adjust production volumes as needed to meet changing market demand over the next decade. Retooling is expected to begin in 2023. 

The Brampton Assembly Plant will be retooled and fully modernized, beginning in 2024. When production resumes in 2025, the plant will introduce an all-new, flexible architecture to support the company’s electrification plans. 

Chrysler 300 structure at the Brampton Assembly Plant. (Stellantis).

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. The company will announce product allocation at a later date.

The Windsor-based ARDC will expand its talent pool by adding more than 650 highly skilled engineering jobs in various areas to support Stellantis’ growth in electrification. It will expand North American capability related to the transition to EV with a focus on core technology areas: electrified propulsion systems, including batteries, power electronics, electric machines, motor controls, energy management and embedded software. 

Robot used in the Seat Comfort lab at Stellantis’ Automotive Research and Development Center (ARDC) for testing overall Seat Hardness. (Stellantis).

The ARDC also will become the first battery lab in North America, following the company’s announcement to establish a similar centre in Turin, Italy. The Battery Lab will be a state-of-the-art technology centre for the development and validation of advanced BEV, PHEV and HEV cells, modules and battery packs. This in-house capability will rapidly accelerate Stellantis’ EV’s best-in-class performance. The new 100,000-square-foot facility will be added to the existing building with completion expected by the end of 2023.

In March, Stellantis and LG Energy Solution announced the formation of a joint venture company to establish the first large-scale, domestic, electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Windsor to support the company’s electric battery development. With an investment of $5 billion CAD ($4.1 billion USD) and the creation of an estimated 2,500 new jobs, the joint venture company will produce leading-edge lithium-ion battery cells and modules to meet a significant portion of Stellantis’ vehicle production requirements in North America. 

Metrology Lab at Brampton Assembly Plant. (Stellantis).

Despite all of the information put forward, there was no official announcement about which future product would be produced at either plant. Currently, the Windsor facility manufacturers the trio of Chrysler minivans (Pacifica, Voyager, and Grand Caravan) and the Brampton facility produces the trio of L-Series cars (Challenger, Charger, and 300 Series).

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

Related Articles

Loading new replies...

I'm not so sure that this is exciting news. On the American side Jeeps and muscle Dodge are exciting products.

If this is indeed a PSA EMP2 v4 now known as more marketing friendly eVMP than it can top at 330 HP for BEV with 2 electric motors as AWD, less for FWD.

Just for comparison. Giorgio platform can have 3 electric motors and more than 600 HP.

I can only wonder why they've chosen this route. IMO this was pushed by Unifor. They wanted higher employment rate and thus investment went to Windsor and not to Brampton.

Reply 1 Like

Must be for people mover not a performance cars.

Reply 4 Likes

FCA Releases More Details About Canadian Union Agreement:​

New Electrified Vehicle Coming To Windsor Plant...​

1603392988265.png

Reply Like

click to expand...

So is the Chrysler Airflow being produced in Windsor ?

Reply Like

Marspeed speed says the Airflow will be build in Belvedere .... .that makes sense if it shares with Challenger and Charger.

My guess this is the Passport and Minivan.

Reply 1 Like

Back to top button