Ford, Unifor strike landmark $1.95B deal
- Details
- September 23, 2020
Click image to enlargeFord Motor Co. Ltd and Unifor reached a tentative deal that change the auto industry landscape in Ontario.
Ford will invest $1.8B to retool the Oakville Assembly Plant and build five new electric vehicles, with the first one rolling off the line in 2025 and the final planned for production in 2028.
The Toronto Star has reported that the federal and Ontario governments are willing to kick in up to $500 million to secure electric vehicle production at Ford’s Oakville, Ont. plant.
“Up until today, of the $300B announced worldwide not one nickel was allocated to Canada,” said Unifor president Jerry Dias. “With today’s announcement that changes. It starts the discussion about the supply chain and the jobs that are created that will follow this type of announcement. If you are going to protect the number one industry in this country, you better get into the game and I think our governments understand that.”
Ford’s Windsor facilities will see a new 6.8 litre engine program that Diaz says will sustain employment and create new opportunities for years.
"This is a major commitment from Ford Motor Co., huge," said Diaz, who also lauded the federal and Ontario governments for their support.
As of press time, Ford had declined to comment before the ratification vote.