Stellantis and a partner, LG Energy Solution, said on Wednesday that they would build a battery plant together in Windsor, Ontario, to supply the critical components for a range of electric jeeps and trucks that the automaker plans to introduce in the coming years.
The two companies expect to invest $4.1 billion in the factory and create 2,500 jobs. Stellantis, which was formed last year by a merger of Fiat Chrysler and French carmaker Peugeot, has long operated a minibus factory in Windsor.
The new factory is the latest in a series of factories that automakers have said they will build in North America as they rush to produce electric cars and trucks and overtake Tesla, which dominates the burgeoning electricity market. General Motors expects a battery plant in Lordstown, Ohio, to begin production this summer and is building a second one in Tennessee. Ford Motor has announced plans to build two battery plants in Kentucky and a third in Tennessee. Toyota has chosen North Carolina for a battery factory.
Stellaantis said this month it aims to introduce 25 electric vehicles in the United States by 2030 and plans to build at least two battery plants in North America. The new models include an electric Jeep to be introduced next year and an electric Ram pickup in 2024.
“Our joint venture with LG Energy Solution is yet another stepping stone towards achieving our aggressive electrification roadmap in the region, which aims to achieve 50 percent of U.S. battery electric vehicle sales by the end of the decade. and Canada,” said Stellantis CEO. Carlos Tavares said in a statement.
Ford is expected to begin production of an electric version of its F-150 pickup in April. GM expects to start making an electric Chevrolet Silverado truck next year.
