Jeep’s plan to introduce an all-electric Compass in North America has been put on hold as parent company Stellantis temporarily halts work on the next-generation model. The decision comes after Stellantis suspended operations at its Brampton Assembly Plant in Canada, where the current Compass is manufactured, citing the need to reassess its product strategy for the region.
On Thursday, Stellantis confirmed a freeze on all activities at the Brampton plant, including development of the next-generation Compass, due to “today’s dynamic environment.” In a statement to Ontario-based newspaper Windsor Star, Lou Ann Gosselin, head of communications for Stellantis Canada, said the automaker is evaluating its offerings to ensure customers have “a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options to best meet their needs.”
The Brampton facility, which has been closed since December 2023 for retooling to accommodate EV production, was originally slated to begin building the next-generation Jeep Compass—including an all-electric variant—for North America by late 2025, with mass production expected in 2026. However, Stellantis’ latest move has cast uncertainty over those plans.
Despite the pause in North America, Jeep’s next-generation Compass remains on track for launch in Europe later this year. Production will begin at the Melfi plant in Italy, with Stellantis previously indicating that manufacturing would later expand to additional markets, including North America. The Compass is Jeep’s “most globally available model,” according to Gosselin, making its next iteration a key part of the automaker’s lineup.
The delay comes amid growing concerns about North America’s shifting EV landscape. Unifor, the Canadian union representing Brampton plant workers, has raised alarms over the impact of policy uncertainty and potential tariffs. Unifor National President Lana Payne described the timing of the decision as “very serious,” highlighting the “chaos and uncertainty” affecting the North American auto industry.
“There’s no doubt the Trump administration’s EV policies are having an effect,” added Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart. While Stellantis has not explicitly cited tariffs or potential regulatory changes as factors, the automaker is reportedly reassessing powertrain options for the next-generation Compass in response to market conditions.
Stellantis has committed to resuming three-shift operations at Brampton, with production expected to restart early next year. The plant previously produced models such as the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300—all now discontinued. Meanwhile, Stellantis continues its EV push with the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona, built at its Windsor plant, and Jeep’s new electric offerings, including the Wagoneer S and the Wrangler-inspired Recon EV, set to debut later this year.
For now, consumers in the US and Canada awaiting an electric Jeep Compass will have to wait for further updates as Stellantis refines its North American strategy.
Source: Windsorstar