Stellantis has agreed to sell its idled Brampton, Ontario, plant to Roshel, a local manufacturer of armoured vehicles, marking the latest move in a shifting automotive environment. The deal comes as the automaker faces stalled contract negotiations with the Unifor union, which represents its Canadian workers.
Brampton plant’s uncertain future
The Brampton facility, built in 1986 by American Motors Corporation, was once the sole producer of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger before those models ended in late 2023. Stellantis had planned to retool the plant for gasoline and electric versions of the 2026 Jeep Compass, but production was shifted to Ohio in October 2025—likely due to U.S. tariffs on vehicles made outside the country. The automaker also added a third shift to its Windsor plant but left Brampton’s future unclear.
The plant’s sale to Roshel follows months of speculation, including rumours it could assemble China-based vehicles under a joint venture with Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology. Brampton’s city council had restricted the site’s use to auto production, limiting potential buyers. Earlier this year, the Canadian government declared Stellantis in default on $529 million in taxpayer funding meant to retool the facility.
Roshel’s role and the union’s pushback
Roshel, based near the Stellantis plant, is one of North America’s largest makers of smart armoured vehicles for government and commercial clients, including Canada’s National Defence, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and NASA. The company claims all manufacturing, from design to assembly, is handled in-house.
Stellantis confirmed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Roshel in a statement, calling the sale a way to “restore sustainable operations” and avoid prolonged inactivity. The automaker declined further comment due to ongoing contract talks with Unifor, which have stalled after ten days of negotiations. The union had set a deadline of September 11 to finalize a new deal before the current contract expires on September 20, 2026.
Unifor said Stellantis had previously suggested closing and selling the plant, a move the union opposes. Over 2,000 workers were laid off when the facility idled, and the union insists any new contract must address their future. Roshel’s CEO has indicated these workers would be prioritized for hiring if the sale goes through.
A broader shift in Stellantis’ Canadian strategy
Stellantis’ decision to sell the Brampton plant reflects a broader realignment in its North American operations. The automaker sold its stake in a Windsor battery plant earlier this year, shifting production from vehicle batteries to stationary storage systems.
