The Canadian automotive industry is a major economic engine, linking vehicle production and exports to jobs, investment, and public finances. In 2023, auto added CAD 45 billion to Canada’s GDP (2.1% of the total), while Ontario accounted for 92% of vehicle output. This page covers how EV manufacturing and assembly are reshaping the sector, from battery-plant job growth to the latest sales and export figures.
Key Takeaways
- The automotive industry contributed CAD 45 billion to Canada's GDP in 2023, or 2.1% of total
- Investments in EV manufacturing: CAD 15 billion committed since 2021
- Supplier sector GDP: CAD 25 billion from 700 firms in 2023
- The Canadian automotive industry employed 125,000 direct workers in manufacturing as of 2023, with 60% in Ontario
- Automotive sector supported 580,000 total jobs including indirect in 2022, per multiplier effect of 4.6
- Average hourly wage in Canadian auto assembly was CAD 35.50 in 2023, 25% above national average
- In 2022, Canadian automotive assembly plants produced a total of 1,247,183 light vehicles, marking a 12.5% increase from 2021
- Ontario accounted for 92% of Canada's total vehicle production in 2023, assembling 1,651,000 units primarily in Windsor, Oshawa, and Cambridge plants
- Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario had a production capacity of 365,000 vehicles annually as of 2023, focusing on SUVs and crossovers
- In 2023, Canada sold 1.6 million new light vehicles, a 12% increase from 2022
- Pickup trucks held 22.5% market share in 2023 Canadian sales, led by Ford F-Series at 148,000 units
- Electric vehicles captured 11.7% of new sales in 2023, totaling 188,000 units
- In 2023, Canada exported 1.45 million vehicles worth CAD 68 billion, primarily to the US
- US received 97% of Canadian vehicle exports in 2023, valued at CAD 66 billion
- Automotive parts exports: CAD 52 billion in 2023, to 100 countries
In 2023, Canada’s auto sector powered jobs and trade while scaling EV investment and production across Ontario.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact And Investments22 stats
01
The automotive industry contributed CAD 45 billion to Canada's GDP in 2023, or 2.1% of total
02
Investments in EV manufacturing: CAD 15 billion committed since 2021
03
Supplier sector GDP: CAD 25 billion from 700 firms in 2023
04
Tax revenues from auto: CAD 12 billion federal/provincial in 2022
05
R&D spending: CAD 2.8 billion by OEMs in Canada 2023
06
Government incentives: CAD 34 billion for battery plants by 2030
07
Multiplier effect: every auto job creates 4.2 indirect jobs
08
Export GDP share: 25% of manufacturing GDP from auto in 2023
09
Stellantis Windsor investment: CAD 1.5 billion for next-gen minivan
10
GM Ingersoll Ultium: CAD 5 billion plant, 2,500 jobs
11
Ford Oakville retool: CAD 1.8 billion for EV production
12
Honda Alliston hybrid upgrade: CAD 1.4 billion
13
Total FDI in auto: CAD 20 billion 2021-2023
14
Productivity growth: 3.2% annual in auto manufacturing 2022-2023
15
Carbon pricing impact: CAD 500 million annual cost to sector
16
Trade balance surplus: CAD 18 billion vehicles/parts 2023
17
Quebec battery hub: CAD 7 billion investments
18
Skills training ROI: CAD 4 return per dollar invested
19
2024 GDP projection: CAD 48 billion from auto sector
20
Community contributions: CAD 150 million charities from auto firms 2023
21
Inflation impact: 6% cost increase passed to consumers 2023
22
Digital transformation spend: CAD 1.2 billion in Industry 4.0
Interpretation
Economic Impact And Investments Interpretation
Canada’s automotive sector is translating investment into measurable economic output, with CAD 45 billion added to GDP in 2023 alongside CAD 15 billion committed since 2021 to EV manufacturing and major public support of CAD 34 billion for battery plants by 2030.
02 · Category
Employment Data24 stats
01
The Canadian automotive industry employed 125,000 direct workers in manufacturing as of 2023, with 60% in Ontario
02
Automotive sector supported 580,000 total jobs including indirect in 2022, per multiplier effect of 4.6
03
Average hourly wage in Canadian auto assembly was CAD 35.50 in 2023, 25% above national average
04
15,000 new jobs created in EV battery plants by 2025 projection
05
Women comprised 22% of automotive manufacturing workforce in 2022, up from 18% in 2018
06
Unionized workforce: 85% of direct auto employees under CAW/Unifor in 2023
07
Supplier jobs: 200,000 in parts manufacturing across Canada in 2023
08
Youth employment (under 25): 8% of total auto sector in 2022
09
Indigenous workers: 2.5% representation in auto industry, 1,200 individuals in 2023
10
Skilled trades shortage: 10,000 vacancies projected for 2024 in auto welding and machining
11
Average tenure: 12 years for auto assembly workers in 2023
12
Part-time jobs: only 3% in direct manufacturing, mostly admin
13
EV transition to create 50,000 new skilled jobs by 2030
14
Ontario auto jobs: 110,000 in 2023, Quebec 8,000, others minor
15
Training programs enrolled 5,000 workers in EV tech in 2023
16
Layoffs in 2023: 2,500 due to chip shortage, recovered by Q4
17
Productivity per worker: 10.2 vehicles annually in 2022
18
Immigrant workforce: 28% of auto manufacturing employees in 2023
19
Safety record: 1.8 lost-time injuries per 100 workers in 2022
20
Remote work: 5% in auto admin roles post-COVID in 2023
21
Wage growth: 4.2% annual increase for auto workers 2022-2023
22
2024 employment forecast: 130,000 direct jobs with EV ramp-up
23
Disability employment: 4% in auto sector, supported by programs
24
Shift workers: 75% of assembly line employees on rotating shifts
Interpretation
Employment Data Interpretation
In employment terms, Canada’s automotive industry is strengthening its workforce with 125,000 direct manufacturing jobs in 2023, delivering 580,000 total supported jobs in 2022, while wages run about 25% above the national average and employment is becoming more inclusive as women rose to 22% of the manufacturing workforce from 18% in 2018.
03 · Category
Production Statistics30 stats
01
In 2022, Canadian automotive assembly plants produced a total of 1,247,183 light vehicles, marking a 12.5% increase from 2021
02
Ontario accounted for 92% of Canada's total vehicle production in 2023, assembling 1,651,000 units primarily in Windsor, Oshawa, and Cambridge plants
03
Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario had a production capacity of 365,000 vehicles annually as of 2023, focusing on SUVs and crossovers
04
General Motors Canada produced 456,000 vehicles at its Ingersoll and Oshawa facilities in 2022, with 60% being electric vehicle components
05
Stellantis' Windsor Assembly Plant manufactured 410,000 vehicles in 2022, specializing in Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Dodge Charger sedans
06
In Q1 2024, Canadian vehicle production reached 354,000 units, up 5.2% year-over-year, driven by EV assembly lines
07
Honda's Alliston plant in Ontario produced 380,000 Civic and CR-V models in 2023, with 25% exported to the US
08
Toyota's Cambridge and Woodstock plants combined output 520,000 vehicles in 2022, including RAV4 hybrids
09
Canada's engine production totaled 2.1 million units in 2022, with 70% from southern Ontario facilities
10
Stampings and parts production in Canada reached CAD 15.6 billion in value in 2023, supporting 150 suppliers
11
In 2023, 28,000 electric vehicle batteries were produced in Canada, primarily at GM's Ingersoll plant
12
Average daily vehicle production rate in Canada was 4,850 units in December 2023
13
Canada's automotive sector produced 1.4 million powertrain components in Q4 2023 alone
14
Ingersoll's CAMI Assembly began Ultium battery production at 40 GWh annual capacity in 2023
15
Oshawa Assembly Plant ramped up to 100,000 EV units projected for 2024 after retooling
16
Windsor plant's WRX line produced 250,000 minivans in 2023, with 40% electrified variants
17
Oakville plant's retooling for EVs will yield 400,000 units annually starting 2025
18
Alliston plant exported 95,000 vehicles to the US in 2023
19
Cambridge Toyota plant hit 5 million cumulative vehicles since 1988 as of 2023
20
Canadian parts content in vehicles averaged 45% in 2022 production
21
Q2 2023 vehicle production: 320,000 units, down 2% due to chip shortages
22
2023 total light truck production: 1,120,000 units, 85% of total output
23
EV production share rose to 8% of total Canadian output in 2023
24
Diesel engine production: 450,000 units in 2022, mainly for exports
25
Supplier network produced CAD 28 billion in parts for assembly in 2023
26
2024 forecast: 1.6 million vehicles, with 15% EVs
27
Windsor Jeep line: 180,000 Wrangler units in 2023
28
Ingersoll battery modules: 500,000 shipped domestically in 2023
29
Total 2023 production hours: 45 million labor hours in assembly
30
2021: 2,043,000 light vehicles assembled in Canada
Interpretation
Production Statistics Interpretation
In the Canadian automotive production statistics, output is rebounding with 1,247,183 light vehicles assembled in 2022, up 12.5% from 2021, and the momentum continued into 2024 with Q1 production reaching 354,000 units, a 5.2% year over year increase largely supported by EV assembly lines.
More related reading
report visual · Projection
Light vehicle assembly in Canada (2021–2023)
Light vehicle assembly rises from 2021 to 2023, with 2023 as the leader; the increase from 2021 to 2023 is a clear upward gap in total volume.
2,043,000 vehicles
Start
+12.53%
CAGR · 2y
2,587,051 vehicles
Projected
20212023
source-verifiedstatcan.gc.ca2023
05 · Category
Trade And Exports22 stats
01
In 2023, Canada exported 1.45 million vehicles worth CAD 68 billion, primarily to the US
02
US received 97% of Canadian vehicle exports in 2023, valued at CAD 66 billion
03
Automotive parts exports: CAD 52 billion in 2023, to 100 countries
04
Vehicle imports from US: 1.2 million units under CUSMA in 2023
05
Mexico imports to Canada: 250,000 vehicles, 15% of total imports
06
Trade surplus in vehicles: CAD 20 billion in 2023
07
Engine exports: 1.8 million units to US in 2023
08
EU vehicle imports: CAD 4.5 billion, mainly luxury brands
09
Parts imports: CAD 65 billion, 55% from US
10
CUSMA content rules: 75% North American for tariff-free trade in 2023
11
Q1 2024 exports: 380,000 vehicles, up 8%
12
Japan imports: 120,000 vehicles, mostly Toyota/Honda
13
Battery exports started at CAD 1.2 billion in 2023
14
Border crossings for auto trade: 5.2 million trucks in 2023
15
Korea FTA imports: 80,000 vehicles under agreement
16
Export growth to US: 10% YoY for EVs in 2023
17
Total auto trade volume: CAD 220 billion with US in 2023
18
Tariffs avoided: CAD 10 billion via CUSMA compliance
19
China parts imports: CAD 2.8 billion, mostly electronics
20
2024 export forecast: 1.55 million vehicles, CAD 75 billion
21
Windsor-Detroit tunnel: 30% of auto exports pass through
22
Aluminum content exports up 15% to US aluminum tariffs response
Interpretation
Trade And Exports Interpretation
In 2023, Canada’s trade and exports in vehicles and parts were tightly focused on North America, with 97% of the CAD 68 billion in vehicle exports going to the US and a CAD 20 billion vehicle trade surplus underscoring a strong export position in the region.
Reference
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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). Canadian Automotive Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canadian-automotive-industry-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "Canadian Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canadian-automotive-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "Canadian Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canadian-automotive-industry-statistics.