Idled Dodge Muscle Car Plant May Be Sold, Canada Union Says

Automaker Stellantis NV is considering closing and selling its assembly plant in the Toronto region, according to the union that represents workers there. 

The factory in Brampton, Ontario, hasn’t produced vehicles since late 2023, when it was shut down for retooling work to accommodate new Jeep models. But in February 2025, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs against foreign autos, Stellantis paused that work, while providing assurances that it still planned to bring the plant online.

Stellantis then pulled plans to build the Jeep Compass SUV at the factory in October 2025, announcing it would move that production to Belvidere, Illinois. The Canadian facility employed about 3,000 unionized workers when it was making vehicles.

“On Wednesday of this week our union received information from Stellantis that it is now seriously considering the closure and sale of the Brampton assembly plant,” Lana Payne, national president of Unifor, told reporters on August 14.

Although Stellantis hasn’t provided formal notice of closing the plant, the company has indicated that it’s open to selling it, Payne said. “This is a gut punch to our union and to our members,” she said. 

Stellantis declined to discuss its plans for the factory as it prepares to begin collective bargaining with the union. 

“Our focus remains on finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for Brampton Assembly,” LouAnn Gosselin, a spokeswoman for the automaker, said in a statement.

Stellantis Chief Executive Officer Antonio Filosa has struggled to get the automaker back on track after steep prices and cost-cutting by the prior CEO eroded its presence in the key U.S. market. New Jeep SUV and Ram pickup models introduced this year have so far failed to meaningfully improve its fortunes. The company is also under mounting pressure from Chinese automakers that are gaining momentum in Europe and Latin America.

Wall Street has dialed back its earnings expectations for the automaker, warning it could face a lengthy turnaround.

A statement from Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly’s office said: “The government is actively engaging with the company, Unifor and the Province of Ontario with a view to secure production, protect jobs and ensure long-term investment in Canada.” 

The Brampton plant was acquired by Chrysler, now part of Stellantis, in 1987. It used to make the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, billed by the company as “the most powerful and fastest muscle car ever.”