- Linamar Corp. will invest about $1.1 billion (CDN) in a series of electric-vehicle technology projects at plants across Southwestern Ontario.
- Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, said the spending is a win for Canadian jobs and “cements” the country’s position as a leader in the EV supply chain.
Linamar Corp. will invest about $1.1 billion (CDN) in a series of electric-vehicle technology projects at plants across Southwestern Ontario as the supplier works to balance its existing internal combustion engine business. will invest about $1.1 billion (CDN) in a series of electric-vehicle technology projects at plants across Southwestern Ontario as the supplier works to balance its existing internal combustion engine business with its expanding EV product portfolio.
Company officials, along with federal and provincial industry ministry leaders, announced the spending plan, which has government support, at an event in Guelph on January 28.
Linamar Executive Chair Linda Hasenfratz said the investments in new manufacturing capabilities and capacity will allow the company to maintain its leadership position for “every type of vehicle propulsion.”
“This partnership helps us realize that potential,” she said in a release.
“The participation of both levels of government in this program is a great indication of their commitment to the Canadian automotive manufacturing sector and helps ensure Canada and Ontario can successfully position itself as an industrial leader for producing highly advanced automobiles within a rapidly changing global automotive market.”
The supplier will spend about $800 million on the set of projects in Guelph, Salford, Welland and Windsor. They include expanded production of e-axles and lightweight parts, as well as development work on new semiconductor packaging methods for EV batteries and hydrogen storage tanks for fuel-cell vehicles.
Ottawa will back the investment with $169.4 million from the Strategic Innovation Fund, while Invest Ontario will supply an additional $100 million from the province.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the spending demonstrates Linamar’s “ongoing success” in the province.
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, said the spending is a win for Canadian jobs and “cements” the country’s position as a leader in the EV supply chain.
The investment is expected to create about 2,000 jobs, as well as 300 co-op positions across the province.
Linamar’s spending program is the latest in a series of investments in EV and battery production projects in Ontario. Companies have committed to spend nearly $50 billion on EV and battery output in the province over the past three years, but slower than expected North American EV uptake and recent changes to political priorities in the United States could put some of that spending at risk.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs of up to 25 per cent on vehicles and parts imported to the United States from Canada since taking office January 20. Such action could shift vehicle and parts production to the United States, creating an “existential” crisis for suppliers in Canada.
Linamar’s Hasenfratz is among several industry heavyweights to sit on Ottawa’s Canada-U. S. relations council tasked with advising the federal government on navigating the threat.