The future of the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Brampton, Ont., is uncertain following the automaker’s decision to move production of the Jeep Compass south of the border.

Stellantis it is moving assembly of the Compass to Illinois from Brampton as part of a US$13-billion plan to boost output in the United States.

The Brampton plant, idle since 2023, had been slated to produce the Compass following retooling work that stalled in February after U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported automobiles. More than 3,000 unionized Stellantis employees remain on layoff.

Stellantis said Tuesday it plans to increase U.S. production by 50% over the next four years, adding five models and more than 5,000 jobs in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

“As part of this announcement, we will move one model from Canada to the U.S.,” the company said in a statement to The Globe and Mail.

“We have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the decision a “direct consequence” of U.S. tariffs.

“Until a more certain trade environment for the North American Auto sector is established through the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, decisions on new investments in the auto sector will continue to be affected,” he said.

Unifor president Lana Payne, whose organization represents the affected employees, urged Ottawa to intervene.

“Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar,” Payne said. “Stellantis cannot be allowed to renege on its commitments to Canadian workers, and governments cannot stand by while our jobs are shifted to the United States. Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this country’s top priority.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he was “deeply disappointed” with the move.

“This announcement represents a step backward from its commitment to modernize and retool the Brampton facility — a commitment that gave its 3,000 workers and their families hope for a secure and sustainable future in auto manufacturing,” said Brown.

In 2022, the Ontario government committed $513 million to modernize its Brampton and Windsor, Ont., plants, with the federal government agreeing to match the provincial commitment.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that Stellantis has received no provincial funding for Brampton and none will be provided until the company details when the plant will restart.

“Stellantis has a duty to live up to their promise to Brampton autoworkers and continue with their allocation in Brampton,” he said.

In 2023, the Globe reported, Stellantis’ then–chief operating officer Mark Stewart said the company promised both governments that it would reopen the plant with new models.

Stellantis reiterated its dedication to investing in Canada.

“We have been in Canada for over 100 years, and we are investing,” said the company in a statement distributed to multiple media outlets. “We are adding a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant to support increased demand of all versions of the Chrysler Pacifica and the new Sixpack-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and R/T models. Canada is very important to us.”

The company’s new U.S. investments include US$600 million to reopen the Belvidere, Ill., plant for Compass and Jeep Cherokee production by 2027, creating 3,300 jobs

In addition, Stellantis plans to invest US$400 million to move a truck program to Toledo, Ohio, by 2028; and US$100 million to retool the Warren, Mich., Jeep plant for new gas and electric SUVs.