Stellantis is pausing current activities at its Brampton, Ont. assembly plant, which was being readied to build the next-generation Jeep Compass.

“As we navigate today’s dynamic environment, 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,” the company told this blog via email. “As a result, the company is temporarily pausing work on the next generation Jeep Compass, including activities at the Brampton assembly plant. This does not change our previously announced investment plans for Brampton.”

Unifor, the union representing the workers at the Brampton plant, said this is a matter of grave concern for the union.

“The company has reassured the union that vehicle production plans are still in place for Brampton, although the timing of this announcement raises very serious concerns for Unifor members both in the plant doing the retooling work and those on layoff,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne in a news release.

The union said the plant is being retooled for next-generation electric and gas-powered Jeep vehicles. The plant is expected to employ approximately 3,000 workers when it returns to a full capacity with three shift.

“We believe vehicle production will continue in Brampton, moving forward, but we think it’s overly optimistic to think our production start-date in the fourth quarter of 2025 stays on track,” said Vito Beato, president of Local 1285, in the release. “We need to be clear about these timelines, and we need to make sure that our members are protected in the event of any change that may affect their income security.”

The union added that a delayed production start at the Brampton plant would have spill-over effects on local parts suppliers and thousands of workers.

“The chaos and uncertainty plaguing the North American auto industry, which is under the constant threat of tariffs and a dismantling of EV regulations from the United States, are having real-time impacts on workers and corporate decisions. We have been saying this as a union from Day 1 that the threats are also dangerous to our economy and to Canadian jobs,” Payne said.

Stellantis said the next-generation Jeep Compass, which is the brand’s most globally available vehicle, will debut in Europe with production starting in Italy this year.

NOTE TO READERS: This blogger is a member of Unifor in his day job, in a non-automotive field.