New car production rose 41.2 % in Canada in 2010

As consumer demand for new vehicles rose 6.6 percent in Canada and 11 percent in the United States in 2010, Canadian vehicle production increased by 41.2 percent compared to 2009. For 2010:

• Canadian vehicle production topped 2 million units;
• Vehicle output increased by over 600,000;
• Chrysler, Ford and GM Canadian production increased by over 425,000 units; 71 percent of total Canadian production increase;
• Chrysler, Ford and GM produced over 1.3 million vehicles, a 47.5 percent increase; and
• GM, Chrysler, and Ford are #1, #2, and #4 respectively in Canadian vehicle production. 

"With strong customer demand, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors' production rose to keep pace," noted Mark Nantais, president of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association. "This increased production drove economic output across the Canadian economy through extensive supply chains which touch upon virtually every major economic sector, including the diverse parts manufacturing sector."

		2009 Production		2010 Production		Difference 2010/2009
GM		348,672		527,799		179,127
Chrysler		314,419		484,840		170,421
Ford		237,952		316,053		78,101
Other		563,389		738,487		175,098
Canada Total		1,463,832		2,067,179		603,347

Over the past decade, both federal and provincial governments have supported major investments in automotive manufacturing, which has attracted new product mandates, and helped secure the critical automotive manufacturing footprint.  Collectively, CVMA members have invested over $8 billion in Canada over the past decade.  These investments have gone into more efficient flexible manufacturing processes, ensuring new product mandates, while improving the environmental performance of the facilities and vehicles and engines being produced.

"The investments made to date have been positive for the auto industry as well as the economy as a whole," stated Nantais.  "The improved market conditions and the related increase in production are great news for the one in seven Canadians directly and indirectly employed by auto manufacturing across the country." 

"While the rebound in 2010 has been encouraging, we must continue working together to build on our successes and improve our competitiveness in order to win new product mandates as manufacturers move toward the next generation of advanced technology and environmentally friendly vehicles," added Nantais.  "We are working collaboratively with all of our stakeholders, including government, to improve overall competitiveness through strategic investments, along with other important factors such as building and maintaining a smart and efficient regulatory environment, developing and forging supportive international trade policy, and maintaining cost effective labour contracts." 

About the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association is the industry association that has represented Canada's leading manufacturers of light and heavy duty motor vehicles for more than 80 years. Its membership includes Chrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited; and NavistarCanada, Inc.  Collectively its members directly employ roughly 35,000 Canadians, have over 50,000 retirees, operate 7 vehicle assembly plants, 5 major components plants, and have over 1,000 dealerships.

Light Duty Vehicles Made in Canada by CVMA Members:

Buick Regal (new model launch 2011)	Oshawa, ON
Chevrolet Camaro	Oshawa, ON
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible (new model launch 2011)	Oshawa, ON
Chevrolet Equinox	Ingersoll, ON
Chevrolet Equinox	Oshawa, ON
Chevrolet Impala	Oshawa, ON
Chrysler 300 (new 2011 model)	Brampton, ON
Chrysler 300C (new 2011 model)	Brampton, ON
Chrysler Town & Country (new 2011 model)	Windsor, ON
Dodge Challenger (new 2011 model)	Brampton, ON
Dodge Charger (new 2011 model)	Brampton, ON
Dodge Grand Caravan (new 2011 model)	Windsor, ON
Ford Crown Victoria	St. Thomas, ON
Ford Edge (new 2011 model)	Oakville, ON
Ford Flex (new 2011 model)	Oakville, ON
GMC Terrain	Ingersoll, ON
Lincoln MKT (new 2011 model)	Oakville, ON
Lincoln MKX (new 2011 model)	Oakville, ON
Lincoln Town Car	St. Thomas, ON