USMCA update puts Canada in the role of labour watchdog for Mexico
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada March 2, 2020 Late changes made to the new North American trade pact place Canada into the role of an “honest broker” to assess whether Mexico’s manufacturing operations comply with new labour standards, a trade expert says. In late 2019, Democratic legislators in the United States sought new provisions that […]
Mexico, Canada would share in USMCA windfall
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada December 16, 2019 President Donald Trump reopened North American trade talks with the aim of bringing factory jobs back to the U.S. from Mexico. But the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, is likely to shift auto parts investment from Asia to […]
GM Oshawa 2.0 marks a first for the automaker
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada May 27, 2019 TORONTO — General Motors’ $170-million plan to turn its Oshawa, Ont., assembly plant into a parts operation signals a new business model for the automaker and gives the factory a renewed lease on life. “Getting that kind of money is more than a stay of execution and […]
GM to convert Oshawa factory into ‘aftermarket plant’ and AV test track
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada May 8, 2019 TORONTO — General Motors will turn its Oshawa, Ont., factory into an “aftermarket plant,” producing parts, but most of the 2,600 hourly workers will still lose their jobs after vehicle production ends by the end of the year. The company plans to invest $170 million to support […]
Diversification key to suppliers surviving GM Oshawa closure
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada May 06, 2019 TORONTO — The announcement to close GM’s Oshawa Assembly came overnight, but many of Canada’s auto parts suppliers saw the writing on the wall years ago and have since been finding other sources of revenue. According to industry experts, those efforts will mitigate the impact of the […]
Ontario releases $40M auto plan encouraging investment
John Irwin, Automotive News Canada February 14, 2019 TORONTO — The Ontario government on Thursday released its plan to support the automotive sector, promising to assist suppliers, boost high-tech skills training and revamp how the province attracts investments. According to a copy of the “Driving Prosperity” plan obtained by Automotive News Canada, the government would seek […]
