Stellantis Keeps Electric Vehicle Research in Windsor, Retains 650 Jobs After Battery Joint Venture Shift

Stellantis is signaling that its commitment to electric vehicle (EV) innovation in Canada remains intact — even as the automaker restructures its involvement in a major battery manufacturing project. After agreeing to sell its 49 % stake in the NextStar Energy joint-venture battery plant in Windsor, Ontario, Stellantis says it will continue electric vehicle and battery research in the region, preserving hundreds of jobs tied to advanced EV technology development.

The decision comes amid shifts in global EV demand and automakers’ strategic adjustments. Stellantis’ stake sale to partner LG Energy Solution reflects broader changes in the industry, but the company emphasized that ongoing research efforts in Windsor will remain a priority — safeguarding approximately 650 Canadian jobs focused on battery and EV systems research.

Windsor: From Battery Production to Research Hub

The Canadian joint venture NextStar Energy, originally formed in 2022 between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, was intended to create Canada’s first large-scale lithium-ion EV battery cell and module manufacturing facility. The Windsor project had seen significant investment and construction as part of North America’s evolving EV supply chain before the ownership transition was announced.

While Stellantis is stepping back from joint ownership of NextStar, the automaker will still source battery products from the plant under the new arrangement and maintain its EV and battery innovation workforce in Windsor. This approach aims to balance operational agility with continued support for electrification technology development.

A Leadership Shift in EV Strategy

The transition in Windsor mirrors a broader reassessment of EV strategies by many automakers as market conditions shift. Electric vehicle adoption in North America has softened compared with earlier forecasts, prompting industry players to adjust production plans and partnerships. Despite these pressures, Stellantis’ choice to keep a research presence in Windsor underscores the region’s strategic role in the company’s long-term electrification roadmap.

For Windsor, a city deeply intertwined with automotive manufacturing, the move offers continuity for technical expertise and job retention — even as the focus evolves from large-scale battery production to high-value research and development work.