Stellantis optimistic on Unifor auto talks as Jeep celebrates 85 years

Auto talks will enter the next phase after Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. workers vote to ratify a tentative agreement.

Stellantis NV is optimistic it can reach an agreement with Unifor despite the challenges facing the North American automotive industry, the company’s Canadian chief executive said as contract talks continue across the Detroit Three automakers. “I’m always optimistic,” Trevor Longley said. “I’m optimistic by personality, but the reality is we have a good relationship with Unifor.

There are obviously externalities that are happening in the marketplace around us and the world around us that we need to both work together on how to solve. But we’re partners in that, so I’m confident that we could find reasonable solutions to get where we both want to be.” The auto talks will enter the next phase after Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. workers vote to ratify a tentative agreement reached between Unifor and the automaker.

If ratified, the union has said it wants to reach agreements with Stellantis and General Motors Co. before the current contract expires on Sept. 20. Longley’s comments were made while celebrating Jeep’s 85th anniversary Wednesday afternoon in Windsor, Ont., with a 12-metre-high inflatable Jeep rubber duck floating in the Detroit River, directly in front of the automaker’s Canadian headquarters. The larger-than-life attraction at the event was inspired by Ducking Jeeps, a viral trend that began in Ontario in 2020 in which Jeep owners anonymously leave small rubber ducks on other Jeeps to spread a little positivity.

Longley also reiterated the automaker’s commitment to maintaining a Canadian footprint. “We have a footprint that we’re proud of and we build great vehicles here,” he said. “We want to be able to do that in a productive way that makes sense for us in this market and our ability to continue to grow.

We’ve been here for 100 years when you start with Chrysler. W e have a strong Canadian footprint, the most employees of any automotive OEM in Canada with over 10,000. Obviously, we value that and want to make sure that it’s sustainable and ready for the next generation.”

Longley said discussions continue about the future of the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, which has remained idled since late 2023. Stellantis halted its planned retooling for the next-generation Jeep Compass and shifted that production to the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois , leaving approximately 3,000 workers in limbo. He also said the automaker has not ruled out using the Brampton plant to produce future brand releases.

“We’re considering all options, and so we have options on the table there,” he said. “We’re having good, productive discussions with government and union stakeholders in terms of what is possible for Brampton. The goal, obviously, is to find a long-term sustainable solution.”

Related Unifor-Ford deal awaits member approval before GM, Stellantis talks Unifor hopes Stellantis brings new vehicle product to Windsor or Brampton plants Wednesday’s celebration included the debut of the 85th anniversary editions of the Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Compass. Those followed earlier anniversary editions of the Wrangler and Gladiator. Stellantis said it will release a new limited-edition Wrangler on the 12th of each month over the next year.

“It’s exciting times for us,” Longley said. “We’re growing. The industry’s been soft year over year from a total perspective, and we’re seeing growth for the first time in many years.

That’s indicative of what our people have been able to put together and the exciting products we’re bringing.” mmazak@postmedia.com