Ford Slams Stellantis’ Talks with Chinese EV Maker

Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated that “it’s unacceptable” for Stellantis to be in discussions with a Chinese car manufacturer about potentially producing Chinese electric vehicles at its unused Brampton assembly plant in Canada.

A report from Bloomberg News mentions that these talks involve Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology, a Chinese automaker based in Hangzhou, China.

Reuters noted that Stellantis purchased a 21 percent share in Leapmotor for $1.6 billion in 2023. Additionally, both companies formed Leapmotor International, where Stellantis holds a 51 percent stake.

Lana Payne, president of Unifor, the union representing many laid-off Stellantis employees, confirmed on Thursday that Stellantis is considering various options for the Brampton assembly plant, including production with Leapmotor.

In an interview with in Dallas, Texas, Ford expressed that such a deal would harm Ontario autoworkers.

“It’s unacceptable. It’s everything against what the federal government told the auto workers here in Ontario,” Ford said.

“We can’t have cheap Chinese parts and kits coming over to be assembled,” he stated. “We’re dead against this.”

About 3,000 workers were employed at Stellantis’ Brampton plant, which was closed for retooling in 2023 to produce the Jeep Compass. The production of that model was shifted to the U. S. last year. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

According to Bloomberg’s report, these discussions are still at an early stage.

The Brampton plant ended production around late December 2023 and began retooling in January 2024 for Jeep Compass manufacturing.

Following U. S. President Donald Trump’s introduction of tariffs early last year, the company announced it was “temporarily pausing work” at the facility. In October 2025, Stellantis indicated it would move Jeep production from Ontario to Illinois.

Stellantis has “nothing to announce” right now; company spokesperson Lou Ann Gosselin said via email statement.

She mentioned that the company aims to invest in a sustainable future program at the Brampton site that will support workers and suppliers long-term.

“Stellantis remains focused on a strong Canadian footprint,” Gosselin added. “We are actively engaging with government officials and key stakeholders to ensure successful conditions are established for continued investment in Canada.”

‘Knock-down kit plants’ could displace workers: union

Payne stated Unifor expects the automaker to “live up to the commitment” regarding job creation and support at Brampton’s facility.

There are “serious concerns” about potential partnerships with Chinese car makers using imported parts for kit assembly overseas, she remarked.

“These knock-down kit plants would employ only a small number of workers while displacing tens of thousands of direct assembly and auto parts jobs,” said Payne.

She urged the Canadian government to develop an auto policy supporting companies building and manufacturing within Canada.

WATCH | Canada made a $529 million deal with Stellantis in 2022:

What’s inside Stellantis’ $529M funding deal with the Canadian government

The funding agreement between Canada’s federal government and Stellantis has drawn significant attention since it became known that Jeep Compass assembly would shift from Brampton, Ont., to America. CBC Windsor obtained details through an access-to-information request. Emma Loop reports.

Ford indicated he would only accept if Chinese firms set up manufacturing operations within Ontario while sourcing local auto parts assembled by Ontario workers.

“We want to make sure that Stellantis understands they need to build Ontario-made cars with Ontario workers using Ontario parts.”

Poor indicated he’s currently in Texas aiming for greater provincial trade relations alongside Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli.<h2Canada made $529M deal with Stellantis in 2022</h2

A month ago, acquired details regarding a $529 million agreement reached between Ottawa and Stelantiss backin ’22 preventing any closureofthe Brampotn facility before2035.

This contract does include exceptions under circumstances beyond control deemingthefacilitycommercially unviable.

A dispute resolution process started last November afterfederal authorities deemed it “unacceptable”that Stellantismovedthe Jeep Compassproductionto Belvidere Illinois as reported by Industry Minister Mélanie Jolyon Wednesdaytothe .

This confidential procedure isstill ongoingasgovernmentofficialsactively engagewith Stellanti Uniforand Ontarioinsurejobsecurityandlong-terminvestment.

“Anynewautoinvestments willprioritize Canada’ssupplychainincludinglocal laborandparts suppliers,” Joly asserted.

This past December Jolystatedthat her departmentwouldserve Stellanits noticedefaultunderfundingcontractsrelatedto initiativesbothin Windsorand Brmpton.

Theglobalcarmakersustainedatthattimeit hadnotclosed Brantonplant statingitwas collaboratingwithgovernmentandanotherpartiestofindfeasible solutionsforthefacility.

The reachedouttofederal Ministry Industryand Zhejiang Leapmotortechnologyforcomment Thursday.

Thefederalgovernmentbrokeredadeal earlierthisyearallow49KChinese EVsintothemarketatarateof6.1percent-this measure replaced100percenttariffintroducedbyformerprime minister Justin Trudeauin’24

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