Updated October 20, 2026. Two auto stories hit at the same time this week. A parts maker called Dakkota Integrated Systems said it will close its Detroit plant. And Stellantis workers in Canada voted for a strike mandate. People in Canada are searching both names. Here is what happened, what is official, and what it means if you want to buy a Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler.

Why Dakkota is in the news

Dakkota Integrated Systems is a parts supplier. It builds big parts like instrument panels and sends them to car plants just in time.

Automotive News reported that Dakkota will close its Detroit plant in two steps. CBT News shared the details on October 20. The plant makes instrument panels for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango. Those SUVs are built at the Detroit Assembly Complex next door.

Here is what the report says:

  • One line closes on December 31. That cuts 205 jobs.
  • The second line closes on March 31. That cuts 192 jobs.
  • In total, 397 people lose their jobs.
  • The notice was filed with the state of Michigan on October 19.
  • Dakkota lost the contracts to supply those panels.

Crain's Detroit Business reported that this work went to another supplier. So the Grand Cherokee and Durango are not ending because of this. Someone else will build the parts.

This is not Dakkota's only closing. On October 9, WILX reported that Dakkota will close a site near Lansing, Michigan, on December 31. That one has 67 jobs.

Canada knows this story too. In 2024, CBC News reported that Dakkota closed its plant in Windsor, Ontario, after that contract moved to another supplier.

The Stellantis strike vote in Canada

On October 19, Unifor said its members at Stellantis voted 97.3% to allow a strike if needed. The vote was held on October 17 and 18. Unifor says it speaks for more than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada.

CBC News reported the vote covers plants in Windsor, Toronto and the closed Brampton plant.

A strike is not happening yet. Unifor says it is not in a legal strike position. No "No Board" report has been asked for. That is a step the law needs before a strike. No strike date has been set.

Unifor president Lana Payne said members want "a fair agreement" with Stellantis "that protects jobs for Canadian autoworkers."

Stellantis spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin told CBC News the company "remains committed to bargaining in good faith."

The big fight is over Brampton. CBC News reported that Stellantis plans to sell the plant to Roshel, a Canadian maker of armoured trucks. Unifor is against closing and selling it. Unifor already signed new deals with Ford and General Motors this year.

What the Windsor plant builds

Windsor Assembly builds the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chrysler Voyager, the Chrysler Grand Caravan and the Dodge Charger. Windsor News Desk reported this on October 19.

The same report said Stellantis will keep Windsor down the weeks of October 19, October 26 and November 2. Stellantis pointed to buyer demand and tariffs. That pause is about sales, not the strike vote.

What it means if you are shopping

I have seen a lot of strike votes in this business. Most of them end in a deal, not a strike. A big yes vote is a tool to push talks along. That is a pattern, not a promise.

Here is my simple advice.

  • Want a Grand Cherokee or Durango? The Dakkota news is about who makes one part. It does not stop these SUVs. Check our Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango pages.
  • Want a Pacifica or Grand Caravan? Windsor is the only plant that builds them. A long strike would slow new stock. Today there is no strike. If you find the van you want on a lot, you do not need to wait.
  • Already ordered one? Ask your dealer for the build date and keep in touch.
  • Shopping a Ford? Ford workers in Canada already have a new deal. See our Ford recalls and Oakville update.

What we still do not know

  • If Unifor and Stellantis will reach a deal, and when
  • If either side will ask for a No Board report
  • What happens to the Brampton plant
  • Which supplier takes over Dakkota's Detroit work. Reports have not named it for this closing.

We will update this page when there is more news.

FAQ

What is Dakkota Integrated Systems? It is a parts supplier. It builds parts like instrument panels for car plants.

Is Dakkota closing a plant in Canada? Not now. The closings in the news are in Detroit and near Lansing, Michigan. Its Windsor plant closed in 2024.

Are Stellantis workers in Canada on strike? No. They voted 97.3% to allow a strike if needed. Unifor says it is not in a legal strike position yet.

Will the Jeep Grand Cherokee go away? No. The report says the panel work moved to another supplier.

Is Ford affected? Unifor already has a new deal with Ford. Ford has its own news this month. See our Ford recalls story. For safety tips, read our Kia Seltos recall story to see how a recall works.

Sources

#auto industry Canada#Brampton Assembly#Chrysler Pacifica#Dakkota Integrated Systems#Dodge Durango#Jeep Grand Cherokee#Stellantis#strike vote#Unifor#Windsor Assembly