April a key month for auto sector investment

As DaimlerChrysler presses the Ontario government for a decision by May 1 on incentives for its proposed assembly plant for Windsor, ON, federal Industry Minister Allan Rock and a team of Liberal MPs are headed to Japan later this month to peddle Canada as an automotive manufacturing location.
A recent report in Automotive News quotes a DaimlerChrysler executive setting a May 1 deadline for a commitment by the Ontario government to support the proposed Windsor pickup truck assembly operation. COO Wolfgang Bernhard said on April 2 that a decision must be reached within four weeks. He noted that the project has supplier support and the support of the Canadian Auto Workers union; government support is the only unresolved issue.
DaimlerChrysler has asked major suppliers to participate in building and owning the plant, which could generate as many as 2500 jobs.
Also in the works for April is a five-day trip to Japan, during which Industry Minister Allan Rock and other Liberal MPs will meet with car makers to encourage investment in Canada’s auto sector.
Two Japanese automakers, Toyota and Mitsubishi, are reported to have an interest in building new facilities in Canada.
Minister Rock is also scheduled to speak at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association annual conference and exhibition on April 9. The conference is held at the Hamilton Convention Centre, Hamilton, ON, on April 9 and 10.