Dodge Charger and Challenger manufacturing at Ontario’s Brampton Meeting Plant (BAP) is scheduled to finish in 2024, however in response to forecasting agency AutoForecast Options (AFS), each muscle automotive packages will keep within the province, whereas an electrified product from Jeep will take over their floorspace on the BAP.

The subsequent Chargers and Challengers shall be constructed at Stellantis’ meeting plant in Windsor, Ont., stated Sam Fiorani, vice-president of worldwide car forecasting at U.S.-based AFS.

“They’re going to share the identical platform with the next-generation minivan when it rolls round,” he informed Automotive Information Canada.

Stellantis confirmed in Could that Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 manufacturing would finish in Brampton in 2024 when the plant pauses for a retool. It additionally stated the Windsor Meeting Plant (WAP) would host STLA Massive, a brand new car platform catering primarily to battery-electric autos (BEVs).

However the firm has not disclosed any future product mandates for the BAP or the WAP, and within the case of the Charger and Challenger, Stellantis has not formally confirmed whether or not next-generation fashions are deliberate in any respect.

‘MOVING STUFF AROUND’

AFS had initially forecast that the Charger and Challenger could be constructed on the Belvidere Meeting Plant in Illinois after 2024, however current developments have redirected the 2 packages again to Ontario, Fiorani stated.

“Stellantis is transferring stuff round.”

AFS not has a product slated for Belvidere, however “we count on one thing to go in there,” Fiorani added.

The Pennsylvania-based analyst forecasts the next-generation Charger and Challenger shall be constructed solely in Windsor. They’ll possible be provided with battery-electric, hybrid and inner combustion engine powertrains, he stated, however the fashions’ famed V-8 engines are very more likely to finish with the present era.

With a number of Ontario vegetation seen as being on “life assist” in recent times, the brand new packages for Brampton and Windsor are optimistic developments for Canadian automotive, Fiorani stated.

“Now we’ve devoted autos that ought to final one other 5 to 10 years. So, it’s wanting up for all of the Canadian vegetation.”

JEEP IN BRAMPTON

Fiorani wouldn’t specify what Jeep mannequin was deliberate for Brampton, however stated it might be electrified and that manufacturing would begin in 2024 or 2025.

“Placing a mainstream Jeep product into the Brampton plant shall be so good for that group and Canada typically.”

Jeep provided preliminary appears to be like on the model’s two inaugural totally electrical merchandise earlier this month. The Wrangler-inspired Recon, together with a midsize crossover referred to as the Wagoneer S, mark the beginning of the BEV period for Jeep in North America. Two different fashions will observe by 2024.

Jim Morrison, head of the Jeep Model in North America, stated throughout a press convention Sept. 7 that each new fashions shall be inbuilt North America, however wouldn’t get extra particular.

Requested whether or not Ontario had a job to play in Jeep’s electrification, Morrison was non-committal.

“It does make a whole lot of sense to make use of the Ontario LG [Energy Solution] plant, three way partnership that we’re engaged on, however I’m not going to make any bulletins past that.”

In March, Stellantis and LG Power Answer introduced plans to construct a $5 billion battery cell plant in Windsor. And in Could, the automaker stated it can spend $3.6 billion to construct electrified autos at its meeting vegetation in Brampton and Windsor. It didn’t assign particular fashions to both plant, however stated each are anticipated to return to three-shift operations as manufacturing of their new fashions ramp up.

Stellantis Canada spokeswoman LouAnn Gosselin wouldn’t touch upon the corporate’s product plans for Brampton or Windsor, or on the way forward for the Charger and Challenger nameplates.

Staff in each cities are additionally ready to listen to what autos they are going to be constructing.

Dino Chiodo, director of auto at Unifor, which represents hourly employees on the two vegetation, stated the corporate has not shared its product plans with the union. He expects Stellantis to offer additional particulars as the 2 events enter contract talks subsequent 12 months.

“I believe there’ll be large alternatives come bargaining to debate how issues will roll out, and I believe that can in all probability fall extra according to the place allocations occur and the way they occur.”

No matter what fashions land on the two vegetation, Chiodo stated unionized employees are more likely to want new abilities to assemble the electrified merchandise.

“We’re nonetheless speaking by way of a whole lot of conversations to determine precisely what that appears like and the way we will discover the alternatives to offer that kind of coaching.”

Retooling in Windsor is scheduled to begin subsequent 12 months, with Brampton following in 2024.