The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA) has officially released its milestone “CVMA at 100” report, marking the centennial anniversary of the nation’s leading automotive industry council. The comprehensive report thoroughly documents the economic, historical, and structural contributions that its core member companies—Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis—have delivered to Canada’s domestic infrastructure over the past century.

Tracing the evolution of domestic automotive manufacturing from the assembly of the first 117 Ford Model C vehicles in Windsor in 1904 to the advanced zero-emission platforms of 2026, the data-driven report underscores the sector’s status as a critical economic engine. CVMA member companies have standardly manufactured more than 1000 million vehicles in Canada, anchoring a commercial ecosystem that injects $17.1 billion into the national GDP and secures over 135,000 direct manufacturing jobs across assembly hubs, component suppliers, logistics corridors, and a network of over 1,300 retail dealerships.

The historical audit highlights the CVMA’s long-standing role in shaping continental trade policy, regulatory harmonization, and consumer frameworks. This includes pivotal contributions to the landmark 1965 Canada-U.S. Automotive Products Trade Agreement (Auto Pact), international tariff structures, and the establishment of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).

The future ahead

Crucially for forward-looking fleet operators and retail networks, the publication highlights Canada’s recent success in anchoring its position within the global EV supply chain. The report tracks the integration of $46 billion in recent global capital investments destined for domestic electric vehicle assembly retooling and next-generation battery cell manufacturing facilities.

“The CVMA has stood at the centre of one of Canada’s most important industries for 100 years,” stated Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the CVMA. “This report celebrates the people, companies, and communities that have shaped Canada’s automotive industry. There would be no auto industry in Canada today without the contributions from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis.” 

The centennial index confirms the long-term viability and industrial resilience of Canada’s core automotive manufacturing footprint.