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Stellantis Suspends Windsor Assembly Plant Production for Several Weeks From 19 October

A Canadian car plant is going quiet. Foley's automotive update reports that Stellantis will temporarily suspend production at its Windsor Assembly Plant for several weeks beginning 19 October, citing adjustments needed in response to market conditions. The shutdown follows stalled contract negotiations with the union Unifor, according to the report.

The combination of market conditions and labour talks makes the story hard to interpret. Carmakers often adjust production when sales slow or inventories build, and Stellantis reported a 12 per cent year-on-year drop in North American sales for the third quarter. At the same time, a union dispute can add pressure, though the company's stated reason is the market. I have not seen the union's position.

The wider context includes tariffs and shifting demand. The Globe and Mail reports that tariffs on vehicles made in Europe have eliminated a Stellantis car from Canadian dealerships, and that Canada's market share of U.S.-made vehicles has fallen. Trade disputes affect plants that build vehicles for cross-border markets, making production planning more difficult.

For workers in Windsor, a multi-week suspension means uncertainty about income and schedules, and it can affect local suppliers and businesses. For customers, the effect depends on which models are built there and how much inventory is available. Watch for updates on the length of the shutdown, the progress of the negotiations and any announcements on production plans. Stellantis has also launched a programme to bring suppliers to its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, which shows efforts to improve efficiency.

News sources

Montréal Airport Now Has 120 EV Chargers, With 48 More on the Way

EV charging is expanding at one Canadian airport. Electrek reports that Montréal Metropolitan Airport now has 120 EV chargers online, with another 48 on the way as the airport expands. I have only seen the summary, so I do not know the type of chargers, their power levels or the pricing.

Airports are well suited to EV charging because vehicles often stay parked for hours or days. Travellers can plug in while they are away and return to a charged car. Chargers can also serve taxis, ride-hailing vehicles, airport staff and rental fleets. A large number of chargers in one location helps to reduce the risk that drivers arrive to find none available.

The investment is part of a broader effort to make charging easier. Charging infrastructure is a key factor in EV adoption, and surveys regularly show that availability affects buyers' confidence. At the same time, other reports this week show diverse markets: Europe's EV share is rising, while U.S. sales have dropped, and Canada faces a changing mix of vehicles because of tariffs.

For travellers, a few practical tips apply. Check the airport's website for charger locations and payment methods before you go, bring the right cables, and consider how long you will be away, since some chargers may have time limits or idle fees. If you rent an EV, ask the rental company how to charge it. For airports elsewhere, the example shows that growth is possible with planning. Watch for the next phase of installation and for any announcement of faster chargers.

News sources

Canadian Buyers 'Would Rather Wait for Chinese EVs' as Geely Confirms 2027 Canadian Launch

A survey is suggesting that Canadian car buyers are watching China. Electrek reports that Canadian EV customers are delaying buying decisions while they wait for more Chinese EVs to arrive, according to a new survey, and says that widespread awareness of China's EV dominance may be causing some buyers to ignore Western automakers' offerings. The article's headline calls it trouble for Western brands.

The background is an agreement between Canada and China, referred to as the Carney-Xi deal in a caption on the Electrek page, under which Geely would ship its first Lotus EVs to Canada in July, according to the ambassador. Foley's automotive update separately says Geely has confirmed plans to begin EV sales in Canada in 2027. Both items indicate that Chinese brands are preparing to enter the market.

This is happening while Canada's tariff dispute with the United States is changing the market, with U.S.-made vehicle share down 20 per cent in the first half of the year. Reduced supply of some American-built models and higher prices could make buyers more open to alternatives. A survey, however, measures intentions, not purchases, and I have not seen its size or methodology.

For consumers, waiting can make sense if you want a specific type of vehicle, but it also carries risk. Delivery dates, prices, warranty support and service networks are uncertain until the cars are on sale. For Western carmakers, the signal is that price and technology competition from China is influencing buyers even before the cars arrive. Watch for the first Chinese models on sale, their pricing and the reaction of local dealers and regulators.

News sources

Waymo Picks Toronto as Its First Canadian City and Targets Public Riders in 2028

Robotaxis are heading north of the U.S. border. Electrek reports that Waymo has chosen Toronto as its first Canadian city, that its cars will begin driving the city's streets in the coming days, and that the company wants its first public riders on board in 2028. It is Waymo's fourth announced market outside the United States, after London, Tokyo and Singapore.

There is a catch, according to the report: Ontario does not yet have rules for a commercial driverless service. That means the timetable depends not only on technology but also on legislation and regulatory approval. Autonomous vehicle projects often begin with testing, sometimes with safety drivers, and move to public service only when regulators permit.

Toronto offers a challenging environment. Winter weather, including snow, can complicate sensors and road conditions, and dense urban traffic requires careful behaviour. Success there would show that the technology can handle a wide range of conditions, which is important for expansion to other cities, and the company's other overseas markets will also test it in different driving cultures.

For residents, the immediate effect will be seeing test vehicles on the road. Public acceptance will depend on safety records and on how the service fits with public transport and taxis. The timing is notable because other companies are also planning autonomous services: Stellantis and Rivian have announced hands-free plans, and a Tesla crash involving a driver assistance system has drawn attention this week. Watch for provincial rule-making, the start of testing and early safety data from Toronto.

News sources

Canadian Market Share of U.S.-Made Vehicles Falls 20% as Tariff War Forces Carmakers to Halt Exports

The trade dispute between Canada and the United States is reshaping what Canadians can buy. The Globe and Mail reports that the Canadian market share of U.S.-made vehicles tumbled 20 per cent in the first half of 2026, as Canada applied retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on U.S.-made cars and trucks. In response, Volvo, Tesla, Subaru and Mazda have stopped exports of certain U.S.-made models to Canada or shifted production to other countries.

The article also says that tariffs on vehicles made in Europe have eliminated a Stellantis car from Canadian dealerships, and that the United States has collected US$50 billion in tariffs on autos and parts since 2025. A separate summary from FXStreet notes that President Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Canadian vehicles and automotive parts, so the dispute may escalate.

For carmakers, tariffs create complex decisions. Plants are designed to serve specific markets, and moving production or stopping exports can be costly and slow. Companies may raise prices, discontinue models in some markets or reorganise supply chains. For consumers, the result can be fewer choices and higher prices, and for workers, uncertainty about which plants will keep running.

The story also connects to the arrival of Chinese brands. Geely has confirmed plans to begin EV sales in Canada in 2027, and a survey reported by Electrek suggests that some Canadian buyers are waiting for Chinese EVs rather than purchasing Western ones. If you are planning to buy a car in Canada, check availability and warranty arrangements, because model line-ups are changing. Watch for any trade agreement or change in tariffs, which could quickly alter the picture.