Ford Optimistic On Canadian Manufacturing

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Even as Canada’s manufacturing sector continues to dwindle, Ford is set to invest even further in its Canadian operations, putting together a new investment package for its Oakville assembly plant – provided the federal and Ontario governments can come up with the scratch.

Ford of Canada CEO Dianne Craig expressed optimism for Canada’s auto manufacturing sector, but within her remarks were subtle calls for enhanced government investment in the auto industry. Speaking at the Bloomberg Canada Economic Summit, Craig remarked

“We are optimistic despite the Canadian dollar where it is…So it’s between the business partners that we have, certainly the government, that will enable us to at least keep the footprint that we have today.

Ford’s Oakville plant is expected to built the next generation Ford Edge, which will ride on the global CD4 platform used by the Ford Fusion. Ford and the Canadian government are said to be ironing out the details, but timing is tight for any deal, as production is scheduled to begin next June. Ford is said to be looking for $400 million from the Canadian government, which is notoriously reluctant to invest in the auto manufacturing sector compared to American and Mexican governments.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Kyree Kyree on May 22, 2013

    It probably isn't a good idea for Canada to invest in our automotive industry, because they'll just get the short end of the stick. Ford should come up with the money from another source. I'm sure they have a spare $400 million from all of the overpriced current-generation Edge and MKX units.

    • Bball40dtw Bball40dtw on May 22, 2013

      If they do get the money from another source, the next gen Edge and MKX production probably won't happen in Canada. If they consolidate all Fiesta production to Thailand, as this website among others have reported, that leaves a recently renovated and flexible factory in Cuautitlan with no product.

  • Onus Onus on May 22, 2013

    It will stay anyway. Ford doesn't have any spare plants us plants to tool up to make these anyway. All in all ford has the smallest Canadian manufacturing base of all the big 3 in Canada. On a side note my 1983 f250 was build at the Oakville Truck Plant.

  • RobertRyan RobertRyan on May 22, 2013

    Ford Australia announced it is shutting down all manufacturing here today. They will finish in 2016. Ford has been struggling with its locally produced and imported vehicles.

  • Type57SC Type57SC on May 22, 2013

    I'm not sure how the head of Ford Canada saying that Ford wants more production in Canada if the govts come up with money is Ford being "optimistic" about Canada. I am very optimistic about my neighborhood (sorry, neighbourhood) too. If Fields says that they are shifting production from the US to Canada, then they are getting optimistic about Canada.

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