Stellantis wants to build cars at idled Brampton plant: Canada CEO

Stellantis NV announced in October that it was moving production from Brampton to Illinois. Photo by Thibaud MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images filesArticle contentStellantis NV is still in talks with the Canadian government and union about the future of its shuttered factory in Brampton, Ont., according to the automaker’s chief executive officer in the country.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe company wants “to find a sustainable option for Brampton” after moving production of the Jeep Compass SUV to the U.S., Stellantis Canada chief executive Trevor Longley said on BNN Bloomberg TV on Thursday.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle content“The reality is that we want to build cars in Brampton. We’ve been making cars in Canada for 100 years and we want to continue making cars in Canada for the next 100,” he said in an interview at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“We are working proactively with our government,” as well as with Unifor, which represents Brampton workers, he said. “That means that we find solutions for the tariff situations that have been imposed.”Article contentStellantis announced in October that it was moving production from Brampton to Illinois as part of a US$13 billion investment strategy to strengthen its U.S. business and dodge tariffs. The move has affected 3,000 Canadian workers who were employed at the plant.Article contentAfter the move, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government cut the number of U.S.-made vehicles the automaker can import without facing counter-tariffs. Carney imposed the retaliatory levies in response to Trump’s tariff barrage last year, but exempted firms that keep producing and investing in Canada.Article contentLongley said the company is still considering future products for the factory.Article contentArticle contentIndustry Minister Melanie Joly has threatened to sue Stellantis over the production shift and has vowed to recoup Canadian taxpayer money that provided financial aid to the company.Article contentRead More Stellantis seeks to exit battery venture with Samsung as EV losses mount Stellantis sells its stake in Windsor battery plant for just $100 in massive write-down on EV investments Article contentLast week, Carney unveiled his government’s new automotive strategy, which aims to protect and attract investments from carmakers. The plan proposes to revamp the tariff remission program so that automakers that build vehicles in Canada receive import credits in return. Those credits can be used to bring vehicles from the U.S. tariff-free, and can be traded with other companies.Article contentLongley said more details on the plan are needed to evaluate it, but that “anything that protects Canadian industry and Canadian auto production, I think is a positive move.”Article content“For many years, it’s been more cost-effective to import cars into Canada than it is to make them here, and obviously we’ve been heavily invested in this country and we want to make sure that we can continue to do that well into the future,” he added.Article contentThe Stellantis executive also weighed in on Carney’s deal with China, which will allow 49,000 electric vehicles into Canada at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. Longley said while allowing more competition is a good thing, he raised concerns about whether Canada is on a level playing field with a non-market economy like China.Article contentBloomberg.comArticle contentTrending Telus picks former CIBC CEO Victor Dodig to replace Entwistle at helm Telecom Russia memo sees return to U.S. dollar system in pitch made for Trump Economy David Rosenberg: Memo to Mark Carney: Don’t bring a butter knife to an economic gun fight Economy Posthaste: Why Canada's job market is in a lot worse shape than you think News Telus Picks Former Bank Chief Dodig to Replace Longtime CEO PMN Business Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Telus picks former CIBC CEO Victor Dodig to replace Entwistle at helm Telecom Russia memo sees return to U.S. dollar system in pitch made for Trump Economy David Rosenberg: Memo to Mark Carney: Don’t bring a butter knife to an economic gun fight Economy Posthaste: Why Canada's job market is in a lot worse shape than you think News Telus Picks Former Bank Chief Dodig to Replace Longtime CEO PMN Business