Stellantis plans to re-tool its assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario to build electric vehicles based on new EV architecture as part of a $2.8 billion investment designed to prepare the company’s Canadian operations for an electric future.
The company said the new investment in Ontario, Canada ensures the future of the Windsor and Brampton assembly plants while expanding its Automotive Research and Development Center in Windsor to accelerate the automaker’s transition to a sustainable future.
“These investments re-affirm 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 Stellantis North America Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was on hand for the announcement.
Charging ahead
Stewart said the announcement in Windsor, which is across the Detroit River from Detroit, is part the company’s long-term strategy to invest $35 billion through 2025 in electrification and software globally.
The announcement increases the Stellantis’ overall investment in Ontario to $6.7 billion, or $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 $1.2 billion, or $1.5 billion CAD, made during the 2020 contract talks.
“Today’s deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is yet another investment in our workers and in our future,” said 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.”
Battery plant and engineering lab part of the plan
As part of the investment, Windsor Assembly Plant will be transformed to support production of a new multi-energy vehicle (MEV) architecture that will provide battery-electric capability for multiple vehicles. The plant will have maximum flexibility to adjust production volumes as needed to meet changing market demand during 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.
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, Stewart said. 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.