Ontario Promotes its Innovative Auto Strengths in India
Ontario is promoting its strengths as a global leader for auto innovation and advanced manufacturing to generate new investment and export opportunities for companies across the province.
This week in New Delhi, Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, gave a special address at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturer’s (SIAM) Auto Trade Dialogue where he spoke about Ontario’s strengths as a global partner in disruptive technologies, such as connected vehicles and driverless cars, that will define the future of the industry.
India and Ontario have an excellent track record of collaboration in the automotive sector and continue to grow partnerships in automotive trade, innovation and investment. For example, India’s Tech Mahindra is piloting its Intelligent Electric Vehicle Charging technology in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The company selected Ontario because of its leadership in Smart Grid and renewable energy technologies.
Minister Duguid also took part in the opening ceremonies for Auto Expo 2016 in New Delhi where a delegation of Ontario-based auto parts companies is exhibiting. The event was an opportunity to highlight Ontario’s strengths as a global supply chain and innovation partner, while also promoting the province’s advantages for auto industry investment. The Minister met with key decision makers from Indian automobile and motorbike manufacturers and parts suppliers to understand first hand the opportunities for Ontario companies.
Attracting new investment and promoting the province’s auto sector globally is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan is investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
QUOTES
“Global competition in the auto industry has never been more intense and it’s vital that we seize every opportunity to highlight Ontario’s strengths to industry decision-makers. That’s what we were able to accomplish in India and we will continue to raise Ontario’s profile internationally to strengthen our key industry sectors at home.”
— Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
QUICK FACTS
- India is the 6th largest global manufacturer of automobiles, producing 3.6 million light vehicles in 2014.
- Ontario is one of the top jurisdictions in North America for vehicle production and the only sub-national jurisdiction to have five major global automotive assemblers: Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota, as well as truck manufacturer Hino.
- Ontario assembly plants produced nearly 16 per cent of North American vehicles over the last five years and the auto industry contributes around $16 billion annually to the province’s GDP.
- Strengthening the auto sector is part of Ontario’s Business Growth Initiative, which is helping to grow the economy and create jobs by promoting an innovation-based economy, helping small companies scale-up and modernizing regulations for businesses.
- Ontario is the first Canadian province to allow on-road testing of automated vehicles and is home to almost 100 companies and institutions involved in connected vehicle and automated vehicle technologies.
