BYD Seeks to Buy Stellantis' Factory in Canada

On August 31, Bloomberg reported that BYD has approached local Canadian authorities about acquiring an idle Stellantis plant in the suburbs of Toronto. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said BYD contacted him six months ago about producing buses at the facility.

The plant has been shut down since 2023. Stellantis had planned to convert it into a production site for the next-generation Jeep Compass, but the retooling was suspended in 2025 after the United States imposed additional tariffs on imported vehicles.

Since entering Canada with electric buses in 2016, BYD has built up a solid market presence and brand recognition. In March, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said the company was considering building a plant in Canada, making clear that "joint ventures don't work" and that it prefers to build and operate its own plant.

In late August, "Coming Soon" quietly appeared on BYD Canada's website, and the company began ramping up hiring in Toronto, Vancouver and other cities, aiming to launch passenger vehicles in Canada by year-end.

Brown added that Leapmotor International had also discussed converting the plant. According to earlier reports, Stellantis plans to partner with Leapmotor to bring its models to the local market.