Stellantis could soon be importing Chinese-built Jeep electric vehicles to Canada, even as its Brampton Assembly Plant remains shuttered and more than 2,000 Canadian auto workers face an uncertain future.
According to Automotive News Canada, a Stellantis joint venture with Chinese automaker Dongfeng plans to begin producing two electrified Jeep models in 2027, with Canada among the potential export markets. The United States is notably absent from those plans.
The development comes as Stellantis continues to determine the future of its Brampton facility, which has been idle since 2023. Earlier this year, reports suggested the automaker was considering building Chinese Leapmotor vehicles at the Ontario plant.
Instead, Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel in September regarding a potential sale of the facility.
China-built Jeeps could arrive in 2027
Stellantis and Dongfeng announced their expanded partnership in May, outlining plans to manufacture two Jeep off-road vehicles at their Wuhan facility beginning in 2027. One will be fully electric, while the other will be a plug-in hybrid.
Lv Haitao, general manager of Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology, has now identified Canada as a potential destination for those vehicles.
Canada’s revised Chinese EV import policy could make that possible. The federal government eliminated its 100% surtax for an initial annual quota of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles, which can enter at a 6.1% tariff.
Dongfeng has also been preparing for a possible Canadian expansion.
However, Unifor President Lana Payne called the prospect of importing Chinese-built Jeeps “entirely unacceptable and out of touch.”
The union is held strike authorization votes on October 17-18, with results expected today.
Stellantis has not confirmed a Canadian launch for the new Jeeps. With production scheduled to begin next year, questions remain about Canadian certification, import eligibility, and how the vehicles could affect the company’s domestic manufacturing operations.
Related Articles:
- Stellantis Considers Chinese EV Production with Leapmotor at Idle Ontario Plant
- Canada’s Chinese EV quota ends first window with nearly 9,000 spots unused
- Nissan eyes Canada for potential joint-venture Chinese EV export
- China EV maker Dongfeng launches Canadian website and shows off lineup in Montreal
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