- A new Jeep Compass offering gas and electric powertrains may be delayed
- The crossover was last confirmed for launch in North America in 2026
- A source allegedly said Jeep is reassessing whether the electric powertrain makes sense for North America
A redesigned Jeep Compass is currently scheduled to launch in North America in 2026, though that timeline may be pushed back.
A spokesperson for Jeep parent company Stellantis told Automotive DriftBreath on Feb. 20 that all activity at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Canada has been put on hold as the company reevaluates its strategy for the new third-generation Compass. Production of the compact crossover was originally set to begin at the site next February, starting with an electric version, followed by a gasoline-powered model.
Production of the new Compass is also planned to begin this year at a plant in Melfi, Italy, though the spokesperson did not confirm whether production for other markets would be affected.
The spokesperson also did not specify how long the pause at Brampton will last or whether it will delay the North American launch of the Compass. However, a source told Automotive DriftBreath that a decision on the model’s future is expected in March and that delays of eight months to a year are under consideration. The source also indicated that Jeep is evaluating whether an electric version of the Compass makes sense for the North American market.
Stellantis STLA Medium platform
The Brampton Assembly Plant last produced the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger in 2023. It was being prepared to build models based on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, starting with the new Compass. This platform is designed for electric vehicles in the compact and midsize segments but also supports gasoline and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Pre-production examples of the new Compass were initially set to start rolling off the line last month, but Jeep had already decided in October to delay this to May, the source said.
Many Stellantis brands have been adjusting their product plans following the resignation of CEO Carlos Tavares late last year, as well as shifting market dynamics favoring hybrids over fully electric vehicles—at least in North America. In December, Ram announced it would delay the launch of the electric 1500 REV to 2026, a year later than planned, prioritizing the 1500 Ramcharger series plug-in hybrid, which was originally scheduled to debut after the EV.
Additionally, the Trump administration’s threat of 25% tariffs on Canadian imports adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation.
