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Under the leadership of Mark Stewart, 55 and David Buckingham, 56, Stellantis secured the future of its Ontario manufacturing footprint this year by pledging investments totaling $8.6 billion.

Of that, $5 billion is funding a battery cell plant in Windsor, Ont., a joint venture between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution. About $3.6 billion will support retooling of the automaker’s plants in Brampton and Windsor to produce electric vehicles, as well as its research centres.

In Windsor, the Automotive Research and Development Centre will add 650 engineers and become the automaker’s first battery lab in North America, said Buckingham.

The investments will not only help Stellantis execute its Dare Forward 2030 plan, but ensure Canada stays a strong player in a shifting industry.

“We hope this announcement brings assurance to our families, to our employees and to the local community that we are committed to Canada for the long ride for the next 100 years,” said Stewart of the $3.6-billion investment.