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| Chrysler Group's current Windsor assembly plant produces Canada's most popular vehicle, Chrysler's minivans. Pictured here, the 5 millionth minivan rolls off the line. The Chrysler Group is looking to invest in another plant in the area. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Canada has been missing out on a large piece of the auto industry pie. Because of lack of cash benefits and incentives investors have sought other areas of investment. Out of the last 17 auto plants built since 1990, only one was built in our nation, 6 in Mexico, 7 in the deep south, and the rest were built across the United States. Hopefully with the monetary increase new investments will thrive.
Buzz Hargrove, President of the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW), was especially thrilled at the renewed commitment in funding. He exclaimed that it is an "important, significant move. The fact that the Premier chose an auto assembly facility to make the announcement tells me that this new policy is designed to be more flexible and inclusive of the auto industry. This industry is critical to the economy of Canada."
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| The 2004 Pacifica, loosely based on minivan architecture, is now being built in Windsor alongside Chrysler Group's popular people hauler. This photo shows the first Pacifica leaving the line. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
In the past months, DaimlerChrysler has requested federal and provincial government incentives before it makes firm commitments on future assembly plants in the province.
The state of Michigan, right across the river from Windsor, ON, has been awarded a number of new manufacturing facilities over the last few months alone due to its government's support of the industry.
Because of the distribution of funds over the next five years, auto manufacturers should feel confident about investing in new plants and upgrading existing facilities. Hargrove stated that "Chrysler and Ford have no more reasons to delay announcing that they are prepared to move ahead with future plans which were part of our bargaining last fall."