JAMA releases Canadian automotive report

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.

The Japanese Automobile Association of Canada (JAMA Canada) has released a report on its members contributions to the industry.

According to the report, Japanese-brand auto manufacturers produced 47 per cent of light vehicles manufactured in Canada and employed nearly 40 per cent of Canada’s automotive industry workforce in 2018.

The report, “The Economic Contributions of the Japanese-Brand Automotive Industry in Canada, 2001-2018,” was prepared for JAMA Canada by Greig Mordue of McMaster University and Brendan Sweeney from the Trillium Centre for Advanced Manufacturing/APRC. It reveals the Japanese-brand automotive industry in Canada employed more than 94,000 people in 2018, including 14,560 in vehicle manufacturing, 17,776 in parts manufacturing, and 58,343 in Japanese-brand new vehicle dealerships.

“This updated analysis demonstrates that despite substantial restructuring and change in Canada’s auto industry, the economic contributions of Japanese-brand automotive manufacturers, dealerships, automotive parts, and tire manufacturers continue to be substantial,” said Dave Gardner, chairman, JAMA Canada and president/CEO, Honda Canada. “JAMA Canada members are committed to continuing to deepen and grow their contributions through ongoing investment in vehicle and parts manufacturing, distribution, sales and service infrastructure, and employment growth.”

Japanese-brand automotive manufacturers produced 930,040 cars and light-duty trucks in Canada in 2018, with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada producing nearly 500,000 and Honda Canada more than 430,000. In 2018 Hino Motors Canada produced a record 2,873 medium-duty trucks at its plant in Woodstock, Ont.

Since 1986 Japanese automakers have invested $13.9 billion, including $1.9 billion announced in 2017/2018, to create vehicle and engine manufacturing and assembly plants. In addition, over 60 Japanese auto parts plants now are operating in Canada.