Stellantis is considering bringing two electrified Jeep models built in China to Canada as early as 2027, even as the automaker’s idled Brampton Assembly Plant stays at the centre of a dispute with workers and the federal government.
The vehicles would be produced in Wuhan by a Stellantis-Dongfeng joint venture, with Canada and Mexico identified as potential export destinations. The models are also planned for Chinese sales. The vehicles are expected to include battery-electric and plug-in hybrid versions.
Stellantis Canada warned that a Canadian launch is far from confirmed for these vehicles. Spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin said it would be premature to describe them as planned for this market. She also said possible Chinese imports were not a factor in the company’s decisions about Brampton.
That distinction has done little to ease the labour tension. Stellantis had committed to building the next-generation Jeep Compass in Brampton under its 2023 agreement with Unifor. The plant stopped vehicle production in 2023 to begin retooling for the Compass, but Stellantis paused the work in February 2025 and later moved the program to the U.S.
The company is now negotiating a tentative agreement with defence contractor Roshel that could lead to a Brampton sale. Unifor represents about 2,200 hourly workers at the plant. Members are scheduled to vote Oct. 17 and 18 on authorizing a strike.
Union president Lana Payne called the prospect of importing Chinese-built electric Jeeps, made possible by the drastic drop in import tariffs with China, while abandoning the Brampton program unacceptable. Unifor argues the potential Jeep imports show the policy could instead bring in vehicles without local production.
The plant’s status also carries financial and political stakes. Ottawa provided millions of dollars for retooling projects in Brampton and Windsor, and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has threatened legal action over the funding terms if the Brampton facility closes.
Certification remains another obstacle. Canada requires vehicles to comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, a process that takes time and money. Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions said the China-developed Jeeps are unrelated to Stellantis products built elsewhere, making North American certification difficult.
As a result, these vehicles are unlikely to be available to Canadians next year, giving Stellantis more time to reflect on Brampton.
Source: Automotive News
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