The Canadian Automotive Industry

The Canadian automotive industry produces light duty vehicles — cars, vans, pickup trucks; heavy duty vehicles - trucks, transit buses, school buses, military vehicles; and a wide range of parts, components, and systems used in vehicles of this nature. To complement its manufacturing activities, the industry boasts a well-developed vehicle dealer network, plus an aftermarket organization which has grown into a world-class distribution system and service provider.

The Canadian automotive industry is: 

• Integrated into NAFTA (i.e. Canada, U.S., Mexico)
• Globally competitive
• The eighth largest in the world with positive trade balance
• A major contributor to the Canadian economy, employing over half a million people

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Highlights

Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF)

The program has been established to provide $250 million over five years to automotive firms in support of strategic, large-scale research and development projects to build innovative, greener and more fuel efficient vehicles.

• Program Summary
• Program Details and Criteria
• How to Apply

Minister Jim Prentice Announces Investment in Auto Sector Jobs — Partnership with Ford Expected to Create or Sustain up to 757 Canadian Jobs and Make Canada a Leader in Green, Fuel-Efficient Auto Technologies
Speech by Industry Minister Prentice in Windsor, Ontario, September 3, 2008.

The Launch of the Ford Flex
Speech by Industry Minister Prentice at the Launch of the Ford Flex, June 3, 2008.

Canada Boost Auto Research Funding: New Technology to Help Auto Industry Meet Consumer Demands
News Release, June 2, 2008.

Auto21 2008 Conference
Speech by Industry Minister Prentice to the Auto21 2008 Conference, June 2, 2008.

A Four-Pillar Approach to the Automotive Industry
Speech by Industry Minister Prentice to the Toronto Board of Trade, February 29, 2008.

Automakers and Government of Canada Shake Hands on Climate Change
An agreement on climate change was signed on April 5, 2005 by the Government of Canada and the Canadian automobile industry.

The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC)
CAPC is an industry-led organization formed in September 2002 to address the key competitive issues facing the Canadian automotive industry.

Partial Equilibrium Analysis of the Impact of a Canada — Korea FTA on the Canadian Automotive Industry
This analysis looks at the impact on domestic light vehicle production of eliminating the light vehicle tariff of 6.1 percent on South Korean imports.