Canada is well positioned to be a global leader in the development of autonomous vehicle software and controls, artificial intelligence, cyber security, active safety and vehicle dynamics technology, infotainment and connected vehicle technology. CVMA members are at the forefront of this exciting new era of vehicle design. Our members are making significant investments to harness Canada’s strong ecosystem of world-class universities, start-ups and innovative suppliers. This translates into thousands of high quality jobs for Canadians.

Automakers are among Canada’s largest private-sector investors in research and development. In-house research spending at automakers in Canada topped $898 million in 2024, according to Statistics Canada, up from $830 million in 2023 and quadruple the $210 million spent a decade earlier.

CVMA members are constantly innovating with investments into electrification, autonomous driving, and connectivity. Ford, GM and Stellantis have made significant investments in Canada in R&D over the past decade. Recent examples include:

• Ford operates three Canadian Connectivity and Innovation Centres in Ottawa, Waterloo, and Oakville. These Connectivity and Innovation Centres have grown to over 500 positions since opening in March 2017, part of a $500 million investment in Ford’s Canadian research and development operations. 
• In 2021, GM announced the opening of its new Canadian Technical Centre McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track (CTC MATT) in Oshawa to support engineering development and testing of advanced software and technologies. Including the MATT, GM’s CTC today employs more than 1,300 engineers and software developers across four locations in Ontario.
• Opened in May 1996 with a CAD $30 million investment, the Stellantis-funded Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) was the first partnership of its kind in Canada that linked industry and academia. With a total Research and Development spend in Canada now exceeding $1 billion, the ARDC benefits all partners. The facility is equipped with six road-test simulators, proprietary software development and a range of research and development support facilities. As part of Stellantis’ CAD $3.6 bn investment in Canada, the ARDC will become the first Battery Lab in North America adding more than 650 highly skilled engineering jobs support growth in electrification.

Auto innovation requires a significant degree of coordination with the industry across Canadian jurisdictions and especially between Canada and the United States, with whom we have aligned automotive regulations and standards. It is important that public policy enables and does not hamper innovation while protecting public safety and consumer information privacy.