The Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant will return to a three-shift operation in early 2026, bringing back as many as 1,000 jobs.
The automaker, formerly known as Chrysler, says the move is in anticipation of “increased demand” for vehicles built at the facility.
Unifor Local 444, the union representing workers, estimates it will take 1,000 people to run the shift — meaning new and returning hires.
“This is good news for the auto industry,” said Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart. “It’s good news for Windsor. It’s good news for our community. It’s good news for our members.”
A spokesperson for the company declined to discuss any details on jobs numbers, saying it was too early in the process.
The move comes amid significant headwinds in the auto sector due the trade war with the United States.
“This is a relief for our members and the auto industry, and our parts suppliers … we’ve been holding our breath for an awful long time so this is a breath of fresh air,” Stewart said.
Employees at Stellantis’s 4.4-million square foot facility in Windsor, Ont., build Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Grand Caravan and Dodge Charger models, including electric and gas-powered vehicles.
The plant has about 4,500 employees, according to union estimates, and is among the southwestern Ontario city’s biggest employers.
It was three-shift operation from 1993 to 2020. When the elimination of the third shift was announced, CBC reported that 1,500 positions would be cut.
During contract negotiations in 2023, Stellantis had promised to restore the third shift. In the spring, the union said Stellantis had postponed plans to re-introduce the third shift in the second half of this year to 2026.
Move reflects ‘pent up demand,’ analyst says
Despite the havoc in the auto industry, one expert says the move is not so surprising.
There is “a lot of pent up demand for products that are coming out of Windsor,” said Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions. “And we’re fully expecting that to continue into ’26 and beyond.”
While crossovers are much more popular than minivans, sales of the Pacifica are strong and it continues to dominate its category in the North American market, he said.
Fiorani said Stellantis releasing a 2026 gas-powered version of the Dodge Charger should drive sales. Earlier this year, Stellantis also announced plans to put its base model of the Charger EV on pause.
Fiorani says the reality is that the EV market “isn’t there yet,” with electric vehicles only accounting for nine to 10 per cent of U.S. auto sales. The transition has been slowed by the cancellation of incentives, he said.
In Canada, the federal EV rebate program is on pause because the funds have been used up. In the U.S., a tax credit for electric vehicles is cancelled as of the end of this month.
