Japanese and North American auto makers and parts makers accelerate EV investment in Canada

Hiroko Murata, Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun (NJD) February 10, 2021 Unofficial Translation below. North American and Japanese manufacturers of finished vehicles and parts are accelerating their investment in Canada for electric vehicles (EVs). Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, cited the easy availability of raw materials for batteries such as lithium and […]

Businesses concerned over ‘vaccination gap’ between Canada, U.S.

Dave Waddell, Windsor Star February 10, 2021 The Canada-based Automobile Parts Manufacturers Association is reaching out to American trade and industry officials in the White House this week to alert them to the potential pitfalls of a “vaccination gap” developing between the nations. The United States currently is vaccinating its population at nine times the […]

USMCA: The milk in the coconut of North American trade

Marcus Williams, Automotive Logistics February 8, 2021 The renegotiated rules on free trade in North America, known as USMCA, have been in effect six months but are coming under stricter enforcement. Trade experts from Toyota and Canada’s automotive supplier association points to risks around compliance and a lack of clarity in some rules, especially around […]

Sources: USTR has approved all but one USMCA alternative staging plan for auto companies

Maria Curi, Inside U.S. Trade January 28, 2021 The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has approved nearly all auto companies’ proposals for additional time to reach full compliance with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s rules of origin, sources familiar with the process told Inside U.S. Trade on Thursday. Canada has yet to announce any plan approvals. […]

Biden’s Buy America policy challenging but not devastating

Dave Waddell, Windsor Star January 27, 2021 Automotive industry observers said the Buy American policy announced by President Joe Biden this week will present some challenges but won’t cripple Southern Ontario’s supply chain. Automotive Parts Manufacturers president Flavio Volpe feels the Americans focus of the policy is more on the Chinese, particularly in the area […]

The Global Exchange: A North American Industry

Colin Robertson, The CGAI Podcast Network January 25, 2021 Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufactures’ Association, discusses the Canadian automotive industry and trade post-CUSMA and during COVID-19, and what the Biden presidency means for the future of the industry. Listen here (at !0:00).

Justin Trudeau Gets Call From Biden as Canada and U.S. Mend Relations

Catherine Porter, The New York Times January 22, 2021 Canadians welcome a renewed relationship with the United States after tolerating four years of insults and threats from the Trump administration. TORONTO — We’re friends again! That was the prevailing mood in Canada this week after the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. […]