TORONTO – Unifor says the prospects of Stellantis using its Brampton, Ont., facility as a bare bones assembly plant for Chinese electric vehicles doesn’t meet the automaker’s commitments to workers.
National president Lana Payne says in a statement that the union has “serious concerns” related to the potential partnership, first reported by Bloomberg, that could see a so-called “knock-down kit plant” set up in the idled factory.
The union says it can confirm that Stellantis is exploring multiple options for Brampton, including production with Chinese automaker Leapmotor that Stellantis has a roughly 20 per cent stake in.
Unifor says the tie-up could bring kit plants where operations rely on much of the manufacturing and jobs staying in China, before the parts are shipped abroad for final minor assembly.
Stellantis did not specifically confirm any talks with Chinese manufacturers, but said in a statement that it is actively evaluating future programs for Brampton and is in discussions with government officials and key stakeholders.
The automaker announced last year that it was moving production planned for the plant to the United States, which came after the U.S. imposed tariffs on vehicles heading into the country.
The federal industry minister’s office said in a statement that the automaker’s decision to move Jeep Compass production to Illinois was unacceptable and that it’s working with the company, Unifor and the Ontario government to secure production.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.
