Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeTransportationAutosStellantis optimistic on Unifor auto talks as Jeep celebrates 85 yearsAuto talks will enter the next phase after Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. workers vote to ratify a tentative agreement You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Trevor Longley, chief executive of Stellantis Canada, speaks at the Stellantis Windsor Assembly Plant on May 28, 2026. Photo by Dan JanisseStellantis 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.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor“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.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againLongley’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. A massive rubber duck is shown on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in downtown Windsor. The duck was part of a Stellantis Canada jeep marketing event. Photo by Dan JanisseThe 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. We 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.”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.” Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.