Stellantis Brampton Plant to Be Sold to Defence Company Roshel
The Stellantis Brampton plant has a new owner. Stellantis has signed a deal to sell its idled Brampton Assembly Plant to Roshel, a Brampton-based company that makes armoured vehicles. The price was not shared.
The news came out on November 9. It has drawn strong reactions from the union, the mayor of Brampton and the federal government, since thousands of workers have been waiting to find out what will happen to the plant.
Key Details
- Seller: Stellantis
- Buyer: Roshel, a Canadian defence company based in Brampton
- Price: Not shared
- Plant status: Idle since 2023
- Expected closing: By the end of 2026, if governments and regulators approve it
What Happened to the Plant
The Brampton plant stopped making cars in 2023, and more than 2,000 workers were laid off. Stellantis had planned to update the plant to build Jeeps. In early 2025, it paused that plan and later moved Jeep Compass production to Illinois, according to Global News.
What Roshel Plans to Do
Roshel says it wants to turn the site into a centre for advanced manufacturing. It also plans to lease about one quarter of the site back to Stellantis for car work.
Roshel expects there could be jobs for about 700 to 1,000 laid-off Stellantis workers. Roshel founder and CEO Roman Shimonov said the plan would help Canadian companies “better serve customers at home and export into allied markets.”
What the Union and Leaders Are Saying
Unifor, the union for Stellantis workers in Canada, had asked the federal government to stop the sale. “Having sold an auto plant is a worst-case scenario, and that’s what we’re facing right now,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the company takes its “responsibilities to them and their families seriously.”
Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the sale “does not erase the commitments they made to workers in Brampton.” She has called a meeting with the parties this week and said Ottawa would seek repayment if Stellantis does not meet its obligations.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said workers “deserve a fair resolution from Stellantis and a clear path to good-paying jobs.”
What It Means for Laid-Off Workers
For the more than 2,000 workers who lost their jobs at the plant, the deal brings both hope and worry. Here is what we know so far:
- Roshel says it could have jobs for about 700 to 1,000 former Stellantis workers.
- Some of the site would still be used for car work by Stellantis.
- No hiring dates have been shared yet.
- The union says the sale is not what workers wanted.
Contract Talks Are Also Stuck
Separately, Unifor represents more than 9,000 Stellantis workers across Canada. Talks on a new contract have stalled. Last month, members voted 97.3 per cent in favour of a strike mandate, but Unifor says it is not in a legal strike position right now.
What Happens Next
The sale still needs government and regulatory approvals before it can close, which both companies expect by the end of 2026. The meeting called by Minister Joly this week could shape what happens for laid-off workers.
References
- Global News, Stellantis signs deal with Roshel to sell idled Brampton, Ont., assembly plant
- CP24, Unifor president reacts to Stellantis sale of Brampton assembly plant
- The Globe and Mail, Stellantis finalizes sale of Brampton auto plant to defence contractor Roshel
