Stellantis has announced it is postponing production of its 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T at the Windsor Assembly Plant in response to ongoing U.S. tariff policies. While the delay raises concerns about trade tensions, company officials and labor leaders confirm that no Canadian jobs are expected to be affected in the immediate term.
The Windsor plant, which employs approximately 4,500 workers and also produces the Chrysler Pacifica, remains active. Stellantis has indicated that production of a four-door Charger model will still begin in 2026, with an additional vehicle to follow later in the year.
Lana Payne, national president of Unifor, the union representing the plant’s workers, stated, “Unifor does not anticipate any immediate impact on staffing levels for our members.” She emphasized that the facility is preparing for new Charger models and that current employment should remain stable, though she acknowledged that continued U.S.-Canada trade tensions could contribute to economic uncertainty in the sector.
The Trump administration recently imposed 25 percent tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant vehicles made in Canada. While exemptions exist based on U.S.-made parts used in assembly, the impact of these tariffs has already caused intermittent shutdowns and reduced hours at the Windsor plant, including a 12-week period of mixed production schedules announced earlier this month.
Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, commented on the strategic nature of the delay, suggesting Stellantis is prioritizing higher-end Charger models less affected by price sensitivity. “This is a company saying, ‘Let’s keep the Charger platform going and adjust our customer offerings while maintaining Windsor production,’” he said.
Greg Layson, digital editor at Automotive News Canada, added that Stellantis appears to be shifting focus toward internal combustion engine versions of the Charger. He noted that while the postponement may cause concern among Windsor workers, there is no indication of widespread layoffs. “I don’t think you’ll see permanent job losses, but smoothing of shifts may occur,” Layson said.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly also sought to reassure workers and the public. She said she spoke directly with Stellantis North America CEO Jeff Hines, who confirmed that Canadian auto jobs would be protected. “We agreed to continue discussions around EV investments in Canada, and I’m convinced we can reach a positive outcome,” she said, linking the delay directly to the impact of U.S. tariffs.
While the production delay of the 2026 Charger R/T is a notable development, stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic that employment at Windsor’s key auto manufacturing hub will be preserved as policy discussions evolve and model lineups adapt to market and political realities.
