Windsor’s NextStar Energy has announced a major production milestone in Canada’s auto capital — 10 million battery cells produced. On Wednesday, the country’s first large-scale battery manufacturer flagged the milestone for the facility, positioned as a key lynchpin of future auto production and advanced manufacturing. “Canada has an opportunity to be a leader in the rapidly growing energy storage sector and NextStar Energy is leading the charge,” said Danies Lee, CEO of NextStar Energy, in a news release. “Producing 10 million battery cells demonstrates that we have the people, the capability, and the vision to compete on a global scale.” The company, born out of a 2022 joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and Stellantis — which subsequently saw the Detroit automaker sell its 49 per cent stake to the Korean giant, began commercial production at the plant in November 2025. In its news release highlighting the milestone, the company calls the production figure proof of “proven agility” in response to growing global demand for clean energy while also touting the facility as a reliable, “Canadian solution” strengthening domestic energy security and independence. About 1,300 people work at the plant with the company promising a full capacity target of 2,500 jobs for the facility.