Ontario is home to a unique ecosystem of world-leading vehicle assemblers, parts manufacturers and research centres that have been meeting the needs of international customers for more than 100 years.

The expertise of Ontario’s automotive cluster spans from proof-of-concept prototyping to production line automation systems to global logistics tracking software. And breakthrough technologies from Ontario research labs are shaping the future of connected-car technologies, driverless vehicles, and electric-hybrid powertrain systems. Ontario allows you to plug into our innovation ecosystem to expand your business or simply purchase high quality, competitively priced parts.

It's a very exciting time to be in the auto industry, particularly here in Ontario where we're on the front lines of self-driving car technology.

Raquel Urtasun
Co-Founder of the Vector Institute for AI
Canada Research Chair in Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Ontario's Automotive Industry by the Numbers

  • 5 global OEMs assembling vehicles
  • 300+ companies work in connected an autonomous development and smart mobility
  • 34 awards from J.D. Power and Associates, including #1 rated auto plant in the world
  • 2nd largest vehicle producing jurisdiction in North America (by volume)
  • 500+ tool, die and mould companies
  • 24 automotive skilled trades programs
  • 80% of Ontario's auto output exported
  • 700+ parts suppliers
Where Automotive Lives

Where automotive lives

Along the 500-mile (800 km) corridor that stretches from Detroit to Ottawa lies the richest concentration of auto-related resources anywhere in the world. Learn more about Ontario's automotive sector in this downloadable guide.

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Who's Here

  • Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler)
  • GM
  • Toyota
  • Linamar
  • Martinrea
  • Ford
  • Honda
  • Magna
  • Blackberry QNX

Award Winning Manufacturing

These industry leaders and innovators find everything they need in Ontario: a high-quality workforce, strategic access to the North American market, a dynamic environment for R&D and a culture of high-quality, award-winning manufacturing. These advantages are part of the reason we’ve been one of the leading subnational car producers in North America for the past decade.

Leaders in Intelligent Transportation

The future of intelligent transportation is being built in Ontario today. With expertise in artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity, and quantum computing, more than 300 companies in Ontario are now actively involved in connected and autonomous vehicle development and smart mobility.

A Spark in Technology

In the early 1800s, the world’s first-ever battery was discovered. Centuries later, top vehicle manufacturers are using this technology to power their vehicles to help create a sustainable future. Ontario remains a crucial jurisdiction in the global production and development of EVs and will continue to build the innovative technologies that will define the future state of automotive design in electric vehicles and beyond. See what’s happening right here in the province.

A talented workforce

The backbone of Ontario’s automotive industry ecosystem is our people. We’re proud to have the world’s best and brightest call Ontario home, driving advancements across Ontario’s automotive cluster.

Ontario is home to 12 leading universities and 24 colleges with auto-focused programs. On average, our workers stay with a company for close to nine years; that means reduced training and hiring costs for employers. Lexus and Lincoln vehicles are built here because building high-quality, prestigious brands require dedication and attention to detail.

State-of-the-art R&D facilities

Tackling today’s challenges and driving the future of the automotive sector requires access to the right facilities.

If you are an R&D innovator, imagine the possibilities by joining Ontario's robust innovation ecosystem. If you are an assembler or manufacturer, just think of how your business can prosper from tapping in to these centres.

CIARS

The Automotive Centre of Excellence at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology is one of the largest and most sophisticated climatic wind tunnels on the planet where test winds reach speeds of 300 kilometres per hour, temperatures range from -40 to +60°C and relative humidity ranges from 5-95%.

Canmet MATERIALS Lab in Hamilton, along with its lab in Calgary, is the largest research centre in Canada dedicated to metals and materials fabrication, processing and evaluation.

The Fraunhofer Project Centre for Composites Research (FPC) is a joint venture between Western University and the Fraunhofer Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in Pfinztal, Germany. The FPC at Western develops, tests, validates and characterizes new lightweight materials and advanced manufacturing processes at industrial scale.

The Waterloo Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS) provides researchers with five interconnected indoor labs, an outdoor lab and a highly advanced computational facility, dedicated to electromagnetic devices and communication and sensing system development and characterization.

Auto production numbers
State or Province 2017 2018 2019 2020*
Michigan 2,023,132 2,057,861 1,976,662 1,538,232
Ontario 2,169,999 2,003,533 1,899,409 1,362,407
Indiana 1,359,366 1,312,877 1,274,783 1,092,537
Kentucky 1,271,022 1,263,529 1,227,633 1,035,709
Ohio 1,129,249 1,163,194 1,049,186 850,083
Alabama 960,366 919,721 893,117 757,398
Tennessee 934,402 863,639 801,587 536,453
Puebla 619,726 609,298 600,075 422,927
Texas 609,903 598,004 506,548 406,071
Illinois 505,863 650,259 439,618 389,423
*Note: 2020 numbers have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 for all jurisdictions
Source: IHS Inc. 2021

Ontario's automotive corridor

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Ontario's automotive corridor: Windsor to Ottawa.