Leading Canadian vehicle manufacturers are encouraged about the Canada-U.S. progress report to leaders on regulatory cooperation and harmonization

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - The release today of the Canada-U.S. progress report to country leaders on regulatory cooperation and alignment is welcome and an encouraging sign for Canada's leading vehicle manufacturers whose operations and supply chains are fully integrated on a North American basis.

The automotive industry accounts for over $100 billion in trade between Canada and the U.S., representing approximately 20% of total trade between the two countries. Of the more than two million vehicles produced annually in Canada, CVMA member companies account for 65% of all production, with 89% exported to our primary market, the United States.

"We are pleased to see that material progress is being made in relation to the Action Plan under the Regulatory Cooperation Council and the Beyond the Border Action Plan and fully agree with the reports which acknowledge that a good deal more needs to be done", said Mark Nantais, President.

Better aligned product regulations make good business and public policy sense, which has led to a high level of cooperation between Canadian and U.S. regulators on the implementation of some of the most advance stringent vehicle safety and environmental regulations in the world. "Going forward, one of the most important outcomes will be to institute a memorialized process of joint regulatory agency cooperation and development of regulations with systematic solutions to avoid the creation of new regulatory misalignments. Greater harmonization of product standards will reduce costs and make more advanced vehicle technologies more affordable for consumers", said Mr. Nantais.

The Better Border Action Plan that is being pursued now and over the next few years will be key to achieving more efficient border crossings and ensure qualifying trusted trader companies are able to more effectively move manufacturing parts and components across the border as required for the highly integrated automotive industry and its supply chain.  Also as an important adjunct to this activity, the government of Canada is to be highly commended for its role in working with the state of Michigan, and the U.S. federal government to ensure that the new international border crossing at the Detroit-Windsor gateway is built.  The industry is looking forward to working with the government to implement all aspects of the action plans that will address our need for alignment of trusted trader customs facilitation programs, border crossing procedures and vehicle standards between Canada and the United States", said Mr. Nantais.

About the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA)

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association is the industry association that has represented Canada's leading manufacturers of light and heavy duty motor vehicles for more than 85 years. Its membership includes Chrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited; and Navistar Canada, Inc. Collectively its members account for 65% of vehicles produced in Canada, operate 5 vehicle assembly plants as well as engine and components plants, and have over 1,300 dealerships. 125,000 jobs are directly tied to vehicle assembly in Canada. Direct and indirect jobs associated with vehicle manufacturing are estimated at over 500,000 across Canada. Please visit www.cvma.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA)

Mark Nantais, President
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
416.364.9333