Tag Archives: Ford Canada

10.05.09
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GM plans Caprice police car to rival Ford

crown vic
General Motors Co. will revive the Caprice name as a rear-wheel-drive police car in 2011, expanding the list of competitors to Ford Motor Co.’s ubiquitous Crown Victoria cop cruiser as Ford weighs whether or not to close the Canadian factory that builds the model.

GM said Monday it would bring back the Caprice 15 years after it stopped making it for law-enforcement customers.

The sedan, equipped with either a V6 or V8 engine, will be made in Australia on the same underpinnings as the Ontario-built Chevrolet Camaro. GM says the vehicle’s 112-cubic-foot interior is larger than Ford’s top-selling model.

“We feel like given its product strength, it’s going to be a major player,” said GM spokesman Brian Goebel.

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07.27.09
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CAW to open ‘exploratory talks’ with Ford in Sept.

7/27/2009 3:04:00 PM | Canadian Press (English)

WINDSOR – Ford and the Canadian Auto Workers union will begin what the union calls “exploratory talks” on Sept. 8th.

CAW president Ken Lewenza says the talks are a precursor to full-scale bargaining aimed at a new agreement with the automaker following the new deals reached at GM and Chrysler.

Those deals involved concessions needed to secure government bailout money, which Ford did not seek.

Lewenza says the future of Ford operations in Canada could be in question if they don’t open up the contract.

He says Ford has told the union it’s at a disadvantage because of the new deals with GM and Chrysler, but he admits the workers may not all agree that concessions are needed with Ford.

Lewenza says the goal for the union will be to keep the St. Thomas, Ont., assembly plant open until the end of the agreement, and shore up more investment for the Essex Engine plant, which will reopen in the fall.

© The Canadian Press, 2005

07.08.09
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CAW says Ford Canada wants to reach new labor deal

TORONTO (AP) – Ford has asked the Canadian Auto Workers to match recent concessions reached in labor deals with General Motors Canada and Chrysler Canada so the company can remain competitive, the union said Tuesday.
CAW negotiator Mike Vince said although the union’s current contract with Ford doesn’t expire until 2011, Ford management outlined why the automaker needs a new contract to remain competitive in its Canadian and U.S operations during a meeting last night.
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07.07.09
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Ford has no plans for St. Thomas plant after 2011

Staggered in recent years by layoffs and slumping sales, the Ford St. Thomas assembly plant has been dealt what may be its final body blow.

In a recent meeting with Ford of Canada, Canadian Auto Workers union officials were told all three vehicles made at the plant will be phased out — and no replacement vehicles are planned after 2011.

“You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. If we do not have a new product they will close the plant,” said Scott Smith, chairperson of CAW Local 1520 at the plant.

“There are a lot of people’s livelihoods at stake here and it is hard for people to hear what the reality is.”

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06.12.09
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Ford Canada seeks equivalent union concessions

Ford Motor Co. of Canada will seek labour cost concessions from its main union that would put the automaker on the same competitive level as rival General Motors of Canada and Chrysler Canada, where workers recently accepted significant cuts in compensation.

Senior officials for Ford and the Canadian Auto Workers plan to meet at an airport hotel today for a regular quarterly business update where the company will press for new savings immediately so it can remain competitive.

“We have to take action to be more competitive and maintain our manufacturing presence in Canada,” Ford spokeswoman Lauren More said.
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