Ford to invest $1.2 billion in Canada, create Ottawa R&D centre
Canadian Plastics
AutomotiveThe new research centre in Ottawa will hire 295 engineers, who will work on developing autonomous and connected vehicles. Ford will also establish satellite engineering centres in Waterloo, Ont., and Oakville, Ont.
Ford Motor Company plans to hire more than 300 engineers for a new connected-vehicle research centre in Ottawa, Ont., as part of a $1.2 billion investment it will make in its Canadian operations over the next four years.
The automaker made the announcement on March 30 in Windsor, Ont., where its Essex Engine Plant will begin building a new V8 engine, preserving 500 jobs. The announcement event was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.
The new research centre in Ottawa will hire 295 engineers, who will work on developing autonomous and connected vehicles. Ford will establish satellite engineering centres in Waterloo, Ont., and Oakville, Ont., site of a Ford assembly plant and Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. headquarters.
The Ontario and federal governments will contribute $102.4 million each to help finance the projects.
Ford will also hire 100 additional hardware and software engineers in the U.S. to support the work of the Ottawa team. Additional satellite engineering facilities will be located in Cary, North Carolina, and Sunrise, Florida.
