The automaker had \u201ctemporarily\u201d paused work on the new electric SUV in the midst of Trump\u2019s initial tariff threats at the start of the year. It was originally scheduled to go into production at the plant on Williams Parkway later this year.<\/p>\n
But in a release on Tuesday, Stellantis confirmed<\/a> it was investing more than US$600 million to reopen its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois \u201cto expand production.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith an initial production launch expected in 2027, these actions are anticipated to create around 3,300 new jobs (in the U.S.),\u201d the release read.<\/p>\n That money was part of a larger investment of US$13 billion announced Tuesday that Stellantis\u2019 CEO said was \u201cthe single largest in the company\u2019s history\u201d and meant to \u201cincrease its domestic manufacturing footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs part of this announcement, we will move one model from Canada to the U.S,\u201d Stellantis said in a statement to CTV News Toronto. \u201cWe have been in Canada for over 100-years, and we are investing. We are adding a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant<\/a> to support increased demand of all versions of the Chrysler Pacifica and the new SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R\/T models.\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cCanada is very important to us,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cWe have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government.\u201d<\/p>\n Unifor reacted to the news<\/a> Tuesday night, saying its \u201cconcerns on the security of Canadian auto jobs were driven home today as Stellantis announced plans to invest US$13 billion to expand production in the United States market.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStellantis made a commitment to Brampton autoworkers, to our federal and provincial governments, to our communities, and to this country,\u201d said Vito Beato, vice-chair of the Unifor-Stellantis bargaining committee and president of Unifor Local 1285, representing workers at Brampton Assembly Plant. \u201cWe intend to hold Stellantis to everything it promised.\u201d<\/p>\n Prime Minister Mark Carney also reacted to the news, writing in a statement that his government will \u201calways be there\u201d for Canadian auto workers.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether with the Government of Ontario and Unifor, we are working with the company to develop the right measures to protect Stellantis employees and to create new opportunities for them in and around Brampton,\u201d Carney said. \u201cWe have further made clear that we expect Stellantis to fulfill the undertakings they have made to the workers of Brampton.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s decision is a direct consequence of current U.S. tariffs and potential future U.S. trade actions.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ontario government announced in 2022 that it would invest C$132 million in helping Stellantis retool and modernize the Brampton plant for electric vehicle production, with a matching investment coming from the federal government.<\/p>\n In a statement provided to CTV News Toronto, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he will \u201cnever stop fighting\u201d for autoworkers in the province.<\/p>\n \u201cI have spoken with Stellantis to stress my disappointment with today\u2019s decision to prioritize investment into the U.S. and with Unifor to be clear that I will never stop fighting for Ontario\u2019s world-class auto workers,\u201d Ford said in the statement. <\/p>\n \u201cThis decision is especially painful for those workers who have been out of jobs for months. Our government will continue to use every tool we have, including through our $20 million investment in POWER Centres to support displaced workers, including through retraining to re-enter the workforce as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Ford added that no provincial funding has been provided to Stellantis for its Brampton project.<\/p>\n \u201cStellantis has a duty to live up to their promise to Brampton autoworkers and continue with their allocation in Brampton,\u201d he said. \u201cNo provincial funding will be given until we receive clear assurances on when the plant will restart operations and meet that commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n The premier also reiterated calls he made earlier in the day<\/a> for the federal government to maintain tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/YTI2ZC5VSNGGHBHL3UFZYDIA5Y.jpg\")
Unifor-Stellantis production Hundreds of people at the Unifor Protect Canadian Jobs rally in Brampton on Oct. 4, 2025. (CNW Group\/Unifor) (Hand-out\/Unifor) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760505187_680_TRLCJFJESBGATND2YCR7JR7TOM.png\")
Doug Ford Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks during a rally in front of Stellantis Assembly Plant in Brampton on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PUACH7QIKFBGHOF52T4XQSPIAQ.jpg\")
Unifor-Stellantis production Unifor Auto Leadership meet with Premier Doug Ford on Oct. 14, 2025. (CNW Group\/Unifor) (Hand-out\/Unifor) <\/p>\n