Stellantis is in early talks to assemble electric vehicles from its Chinese partner Leapmotor at the idled Brampton, Ontario plant, according to Bloomberg — a factory that was supposed to be retooled for Jeep production with over $500 million in Canadian government subsidies.

The proposal has already drawn fierce opposition from Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the Unifor union, which represents about 3,000 laid-off workers at the plant.

Stellantis’ US operations are in desperate need of new, modern, affordable products that aren’t tainted by the toxic meatheads shredding tires with their Hemi V8s. A new-age Neon, tucked in at just under $20,000 with zippy performance and a simple, unpretentious interior could be just what dealers need to bring in new buyers.