GM Canada says it will invest $850 million in Canadian research and development at Oshawa, ON plant, as part of its obligations under the 2009 bailout
The automoitve industry received good news yesterday with GM Canada’s announcement of a $850 million investment in research and development for its Oshawa, ON, plant.
The announcement followed earlier good news from Toyota, which said it would invest $100 million to boost production and hire 400 new workers for its southwestern Ontario facility.
GM says investment will provide “long-term sustainable benefits to GM and the Canadian automotive sector through 2016 and beyond.”
Kevin W. Williams, president and managing director of GM Canada, says “since 2009 alone, employees at our Canadian Engineering Centre have generated nearly 100 records of invention which allow us to offer better solutions for our customers, helping GM to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles.”
Since 2009, GM has increased its investments in R&D and engineering in Canada, including growing activities at the Canadian Engineering Centre in Oshawa, ON. GM is committing to further leverage Canada’s expertise in strategic and important technologies by expanding activities in light-weighting materials, mechatronics, software and communications. Cutting edge technologies like these are critical to the development of tomorrow’s vehicles and the sustainability of Canada’s automotive sector.
GM has also enhanced supplier partnerships on R&D to drive innovation through the supply chain and increase automotive R&D capacity in Canada. For example, GM has partnered with multiple suppliers to develop light-weighting initiatives for the next generation of vehicles. These suppliers will then be able to leverage their global footprints to supply Canadian technology to operations around the world.
Source: General Motors of Canada
