Stellantis is exploring the possibility of exporting China-built Jeep vehicles to Canada starting in 2027, according to reports from Automotive News Canada and other automotive outlets.
The move would create a new export route for the automaker's electrified lineup while its Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario remains idle.
The vehicles would be produced through Stellantis' joint venture with Dongfeng in Wuhan, China, with Canada and Mexico identified as potential destinations.
Two Electrified Models Eyed for Export
The proposed exports would involve two electrified off-road models: one fully electric and the other a plug-in hybrid.
Production is scheduled to begin in 2027, but Stellantis has not confirmed that either vehicle will be sold in Canada.
The plans come as the automaker faces continuing uncertainty over the future of its Canadian manufacturing operations.
Approximately 2,200 hourly workers are represented by Unifor at the Brampton facility, where vehicle production stopped in 2023 for retooling.
The planned next-generation Jeep Compass program was paused in February 2025 and subsequently moved to the United States.
Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer Roshel in September concerning a potential sale of the Brampton facility.
The development followed earlier discussions about using the plant to manufacture vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor, in which Stellantis holds a stake.
Stellantis Canada spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin said it would be premature to describe the Chinese-built Jeeps as planned for the Canadian market.
She also said potential imports from China were not a factor in the company's decisions concerning Brampton.
The automaker's joint venture with Dongfeng, known as Dongfeng Stellantis Automotive Technology, is preparing to manufacture the two Jeep models for both Chinese customers and international markets.
Lv Haitao, general manager of the joint venture, identified Canada and Mexico among the potential export destinations, according to Automotive News Canada.
Canada's revised import policy could provide a route for Chinese-built electric vehicles to enter the country.
The federal government removed the previous 100% surtax for an initial annual quota of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles, with eligible imports subject to a 6.1% tariff, according to Drive Tesla Canada.
However, the policy does not guarantee that the proposed Jeeps will qualify for importation or receive approval for sale.
Vehicles must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and certification could present a significant obstacle for models developed specifically for the Chinese market.
Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions said the China-developed Jeeps are unrelated to Stellantis products manufactured elsewhere, making North American certification difficult.
The process requires time and money, leaving the potential launch subject to additional technical and regulatory decisions.
Unifor President Lana Payne opposed the possibility of importing the vehicles while Canadian production remains uncertain.
"Entirely unacceptable and out of touch" was how Payne described the prospect of importing Chinese-built Jeep electric vehicles, according to Guide Auto Web.
The dispute also carries federal funding implications.
Ottawa provided millions of dollars for retooling projects in Brampton and Windsor, while Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has threatened legal action over funding terms if the Brampton facility closes.
Unifor members were scheduled to vote on authorizing a strike on October 17 and 18, 2026, as negotiations over the plant's future continued.
Stellantis has yet to announce a Canadian launch for the China-built Jeeps, leaving their availability dependent on further company decisions and regulatory approval.
