Stellantis’ Windsor and Brampton, Ontario car assembly plants will receive $ 3.4 billion in improvements to support the company’s drive for electric vehicles and batteries.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford visited Windsor, Ontario, along with Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America’s chief operating officer, on Monday to announce that Stellantis is investing billions of dollars in refurbishing and upgrading the two plants.
In a press release Monday, the company said it would transform the plants into “flexible, multi-energy vehicle assembly facilities” ready to “produce the electric vehicles of the future”.
“Today is another example that our plan to build Ontario brings huge benefits to workers and communities across this province,” Ford said in a press release.
“Ontario has everything it needs to be a car power plant in North America again. Where other governments have stood by and watched jobs flee the province, we do it and ensure that the cars of the future are made in Ontario by workers in Ontario. “
For the Windsor assembly plant, Stelanis hopes the changes will diversify its ability to introduce battery-electric or hybrid models on the production line to meet what it calls “growing demand for low-emission vehicles.”
The province is funding up to $ 287 million with this renovation.
2 new research and development facilities with a focus on electric vehicles are planned
The company will also build two new research and development facilities that focus on EV production and battery technology.
Stellantis will also expand its car research and development center in Windsor by building two centers of expertise to test electric vehicles and batteries that will support everything from car design to development.
The centers are also expected to provide opportunities for students from universities, colleges and start-ups who want to participate in EV production.
According to Stelantis, the province is investing up to $ 94 million in these centers.
At the Brampton assembly plant, Stellantis will also change its production line to allow it to produce electric and hybrid vehicles, with the province spending $ 132 million on the facility.
In total, the province and the federal government are providing up to $ 513 million to fund these developments.
“Today is a great victory for Canadian workers, the future of Canada’s automotive sector and the entire Canadian economy,” Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said in a press release.
“With this historic investment in Stellantis to produce thousands of electric vehicles each year, we provide thousands of well-paid jobs in Windsor and Brampton. With a century of excellence for Canadian car workers, today is another step in our efforts to build a sustainable economy for the future that is part of Canada’s path to net zero. “
With these changes, the electric car battery plant Stellantis said it was investing $ 6 billion in the province’s automotive industry.
In March, Stellantis politicians and employees announced a $ 4.9 billion joint venture for EV batteries for southwestern Ontario.
Stellantis and South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution have joined forces on the project, which is set to become operational in 2024.
Add Comment