Ontario Premier Doug Ford says it’s “unacceptable” that Stellantis is reportedly discussing options for building Chinese electric vehicles at its idled plant in Brampton, Ont., in partnership with Chinese automaker Leapmotor.
The alleged talks between Stellantis and its Chinese partner, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., are in early stages, according to an April 1 Bloomberg report, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
Stellantis acquired a roughly 21 percent stake in Leapmotor in 2023, and the two automakers later formed a joint venture, Leapmotor International, to expand production outside China, with Stellantis holding a 51 percent stake.
Ford made the comments critical of the potential Brampton plant deal during an interview with CBC News in Dallas, Texas, where he is meeting with U.S. counterparts to oppose tariffs on Canadian goods ahead of the review of the United States-Mexcio-Canada Agreement on free trade in July….