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Stellantis Future Product For Canada Shown In Unifor Agreement

Brampton Will Build The Next-Gen Jeep® Compass...

We have learned a lot about Stellantis’ future production plans throughout North America, thanks to its new tentative agreements with both the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Unifor labor unions. Over the weekend and today, Unifor leadership has been speaking to its members about the tentative agreement. In that agreement, we have gained some important new details about the future of both the Windsor and Brampton Assembly Plants, as well as the Etobicoke Casting Plant. Let’s take a closer look at what the agreement states:

Windsor Assembly Plant – 

Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario.

The 4.4 million square foot facility in Windsor, Ontario, currently produces the four variants of Chrysler (RU) minivans. These vehicles include the Chrysler Pacifica / Pacifica Hybrid, Chrysler Voyager (U.S. fleet-only), and Chrysler Grand Caravan (Canada only).

The Windsor Assembly Plant, originally built in 1928, has a rich history of vehicle production. Prior to its conversion in 1982 for minivan manufacturing, the facility played a pivotal role in assembling a diverse range of vehicles. From 1925 to 1965, it produced an array of automobiles including Plymouth two- and four-door sedans, Dodge hardtops, DeSoto convertibles, Chrysler station wagons, and club coupes. Notable models such as the Plymouth Valiant were introduced in 1966 and produced until 1975. In 1981, the plant shifted focus to the production of Chrysler Cordoba and Dodge Charger SE models. Subsequently, the original Chrysler Pacifica made its debut in August 2002 and was in production until November 2007.

According to the Unifor agreement, investment related to Windsor will be around $1.89 billion CDN.

Two-Door Dodge Charger Daytona shell at Windsor.

In addition to the continued production of the current Pacifica, including the PHEV, AWD, and ICE models, FCA Canada (Stellantis) is transforming the Windsor Assembly plant to install an all-new flexible STLA Large architecture (including Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and Battery Electric (BEV) capability) and produce the next generation Dodge muscle cars on that architecture. The company’s intention is to add the necessary assembly tooling and equipment to manufacture electrified vehicles for future models.

The total impact of this investment and product plan is estimated at 4,700 secured or new jobs by 2025 with an expected return to a 3-shift operation.

The company will recognize Windsor Assembly Plant as the lead plant to produce Chrysler Pacifica and the next generation of Dodge muscle car volume during the term of this agreement.

Brampton Assembly Plant – 

Brampton Assembly Plant.

The 2.95 million square foot Brampton Assembly Plant will receive a $1.32 billion CDN investment, to retool and update the facility to build the next-generation Jeep® Compass on the new STLA Medium architecture. It was originally opened as the “Bramalea Assembly” under American Motors Corporation (AMC).

During that period, AMC operated another facility known as “Brampton Assembly,” situated at Airport Road/Williams Parkway in Brampton. This plant was active from 1961 to 1992 under the management of AMC, and later Chrysler, specializing in the assembly of AMC and Jeep vehicles. After the earlier facility ceased operations and was repurposed for warehousing in 1992, Chrysler designated the newly established Bramalea Assembly as the new Brampton Assembly. 

Although it marks a return of Jeep production to the area, the next-generation Compass will be the first Jeep product to be built at the current plant.

Brampton Assembly Plant.

Stellantis has committed to insourcing stamping and welding operations (a new tandem line) and strategic processes for electrification (battery build). There will be a new system in Body-In-White (BIW) or underbody, and paint (underbody sealing and topcoat) and refurbishing of existing systems.

The total impact of this investment and product plan is estimated at 2,370 secured or new jobs by 2026 with an expected return to a 3-shift operation. Stellantis will recognize Brampton Assembly Plant as the lead North American plant to produce next-generation Jeep Compass volume during the term of this agreement.

According to the agreement, a timeline has been produced for the Brampton plant:

  • January 1, 2024 – Brampton Assembly Plant retool is scheduled to begin.
    • Skilled trades are expected to be fully utilized throughout the retool.
  • Q4 2025 – First shift forecasted to return to work.
  • Q1 2026 – Second shift forecasted to return to work.
  • Q3 2026 – Third shift forecasted to return to work.
    • Throughout the retooling, members will receive training and gradually return to work.

Etobicoke Casting Plant – 

Stellantis Etobicoke Casting Plant.

The 284,000 square foot Etobicoke Casting Plant in Toronto will receive a $34 million CDN investment. Stellantis says it will commit to maximizing utilization of existing die-cast equipment and floor space. It also commits to continue stator and carrier production, transition out of dust covers, brackets, and shock towers. The agreement states that Stellantis will insource oil pans and front covers and transition for the first time into electrification with battery tray cast beams. The total impact of this investment and product plan is estimated at 275 secured or new jobs by 2026.

The facility was built in 1942 and purchased by Chrysler Corporation in 1964. Major expansions were implemented in 1965 and 1998.

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.

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The video possibly confirmed something that I've been potentially thinking this entire time about a particular powertrain that may power the base STLA: Large Charger and certain other vehicles. The 2.0L Hybrid powertrain found in the Jeep 4Xe vehicles. In the Wranglers and Grand Cherokees, we already know the specs of 375hp and 470lb-ft of torque and we know that roughly equals the 5.7L Hemi in Horsepower and the 6.4L Hemi in Torque output, all while not being in an actual performance tune and that they're placed in larger heavier vehicles. A performance variant in a STLA: Large Charger tuned like an SRT4 Neon or SRT4 Caliber could result in something that could definitely be an exciting and dynamic entry-level variant of the next gen performance car. We already know that the Hurricane-6 powertrains will be available and the 3.0L Hurricane Standard output produces 6.1L Horsepower with 6.4L torque and the High Output 3.0L Hurricane eclipses the 6.4L Hemi in both Horsepower and torque, both 3.0L Hurricanes make these levels of performance in truck tune so the numbers we know now may be a bit tweaked for the Charger from anywhere between 425hp-435hp for the Standard output and 520-550hp for the high output system. Of course this does not include the EV cars, the Daytona 340 & Daytona-440 cars and of course, the much talked about SRT Banshee Charger with the potential for an 880hp dual motor powertrain and a 1,326hp Tri-Motor SRT Banshee Charger-1320 trim level and potentially some kind of hybrid variation of the 3.0L Hurricane that may fall in the middle of the EV powertrains or potentially replace the EV powertrains altogether if this whole electrification thing completely turns south. Who knows exactly what's going to happen with that but we'll see. What we know is that the STLA Large platform is going to host several different vehicles with amazing performance and flexible platforms for a myriad of powertrain possibilities. The Charger promises to be able to house wider tires than the current Charger/Challenger do even in wide body setup, offer a dynamic AWD powertrain, Improved cabin and cargo space, a modern retro design and a few unmentioned tricks up it's new sleeves that may even utilize some of the tech used in the SRT vehicles of today from fuel tuning used in the CD170, intercooler chilling & intelligent suspension technology from the original Challenger Demon, Drag boxes like what the original Challenger Demon had along with various other Direct Connection options and stage kits, and so much more.
We also know that there are other vehicles that are supposed to be coming to the Stellantis, North American product lines in the near future including a Durango Revision/replacement, and a Midsize pickup truck. To me, this automatically makes me recall the days of the '90's version of the Mopar Muscle duo, the Durango and Dakota R/T models. While obviously the 5.9L Magnum won't be around this time, The Hurricane powertrains will and the possibilities for what we could see in performance now days actually do exceed what we had before. To put it into a better perspective, the SRT10 Ram had 500hp and 525lb-ft of torque from a V10, those numbers are very similar to what the 3.0L Hurricane High Output produce. Put that in a smaller lighter pickup, even with 4-doors, seating for five adults and a 6ft bed and you have a pretty b@d@$$ Ram Dakota SRT6 Street Performance pickup truck sitting above a nasty 435hp Dakota R/T Street performance truck and a 435hp Dakota Rebel trail performance pickup truck, designed to out performance the Ranger Raptor. Redo the Durango on this platform to do battle with the explorer and give it the 4Xe powertrain as a base powertrain and the two 3-liter powertrains as a 435hp R/T Street Performance SUV and the 435hp Durango Rebel trail performance SUV, and a 530-550hp Durango SRT6 as I've said before and just keep it pushing. Make them affordable and they'll continue to sell.
Another thing and this goes along with affordability. I'm pretty sure most of the Mopar muscle car sales range between the GT and the Scat Packs, simply put, the masses can't really afford Hellcats and all of those other super high end variants of the Mopar muscle cars. With that being said, Stellantis and Direct Connection could benefit alot more from their customers by offering Jailbreak offerings and Direct connection performance packages more focused on the lower end cars. Seeing that big part of the muscle car culture wasn't just going out and buying a car with a 426-Hemi, it was a thing where anyone that had any kind of Mopar from a Slant-6 up to a 426 could enjoy modifying their muscle car and having fun with them, and upgrading them in different ways to get the most out of them as well. It would be nice to see that aspect return to the scene instead of just the deep pockets and best credit score crowd getting all of the goodies. Muscle cars were always about being the affordable, working class person's car. That will keep this going alot longer than some new "Clean" V8. Making dream cars that the working class people can actually afford. Even on the EV side of things. The Daytona 340 and Daytona 440 Chargers should be affordable and that "performance by subscription" stuff should not be a thing. I can understand downloading software and upgrading hardware, but all of the weird stuff like renting performance for the weekend and all of that kinds of stuff is bad marketing. Performance upgrades and tunes should be offered just like they would on any other car and not a "take advantage" of the customers type deal. I'm all for cool marketing things and names like Jailbreak Stage 1 And Jailbreak Stage-2 packages for the Daytona cars where each package unlocks horsepower and features but it should be a one time payment to get those features and that's it and once it's paid for, its there for the entire time that car is operational. Now, with the EVs, I can see DC offering alot of Aero upgrades and weight reduction upgrades along with suspension, braking and cooling upgrades along with styling stuff to make the EV variants fun. But that's how you balance out this future lineup. Make it affordable, fun, practical, reliable and customizable. Dodge could easily continue on with offering fun, loud, cool, customizable cars that shape the auto industry without a single solitary V8 by making a lineup of vehicles that are affordable, fun, practical, reliable and customizable and be even more profitable than they have been. STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA frame could reshape Dodge to compete with everyone on the market. All they need to do is make an STLA Frame Ramcharger SUV to compete with the Expedition and Tahoe, The Ram 1500 is going to get revamp already and you have the Ram HD trucks going strong so drop down to the STLA Medium platform and have the Hornet crossover, a Caliber hatchback and a Journey crossover, actually bring out the GLH Packages and the Dodge brand is set to make Stellantis, North American alot of money. that's not even including Chrysler, if it survives, or the Jeep brand, which as really taken over the luxury line from Chrysler anyway with the Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer SUVs. Let's face it, honestly a Ram 1500 in any of its upper trims has more luxury than any level of the Chrysler 300 sedan. A Rebel G/T, a Ram Limited, Ram Longhorn and even Ram TRX have more luxury and tech than any Chrysler 300 on the market from 2004 to present, including the John Varvatos edition which was one of my all-time favorite Chrysler 300 models, next to an SRT. All while being way more useful. If Jeep were to make another version of the Grand Cherokee with all of the Luxuries that it has right now but offer Hurricane powertrains along with performance and all of the other stuff on the STLA Large platform, and maybe a smaller performance AWD crossover like a modern day version of the AMC Eagle on the STLA Large platform and give it Jeep level luxury and Hurricane performance, Chrysler would be extinct! Jeep could easily use a bit of both it's heritage and AMC heritage and name it the Jeep Eagle crossover and have the Golden Eagle as the high performance luxury version of the Eagle crossover and repurpose the Trackhawk logo as the Golden Eagle SX4 or even Golden Eagle AMX. At that point, there would be no purpose for Chrysler to exist. It would be Dodge, Jeep and Ram and that would be all Stellantis North American would need.

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Will next gen Compass have a hybrid then?

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