The future’s still on hold for 2,200 autoworkers at a Stellantis plant in Brampton — and industry sources say dwindling electric vehicle subsidies and uncertainty caused by Donald Trump’s tariff threats are to blame.
The automaker announced Tuesday it’s “pausing” work on the next generation of its Jeep Compass, which had been scheduled to go into production at its Brampton assembly plant in the fourth quarter this year.
“Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy in North America to ensure it is offering customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options to best meet their needs,” said Stellantis spokesperson Lou Ann Gosselin in a written statement. “As a result, the Company is temporarily pausing work on the next generation Jeep Compass, including activities at the Brampton Assembly Plant.
In an interview, Unifor national president Lana Payne said the announcement is a predictable result of Trump’s tariff threats, as well as his threats to dismantle electric vehicle subsidies initiated under his predecessor Joe Biden.
Most of the 2,200 workers at the plant have been off the job since January, 2024, when work started on retooling the plant to produce the Compass. It had previously produced muscle cars, including the Dodge Charger.
In the company’s statement, it said the decision to pause Compass work hasn’t changed plans to invest in the plant. It didn’t say whether more layoffs could come as a result of Tuesday’s announcement.
