Ford Motor Company of Canada
Encyclopedia
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited (French
: Ford du Canada Limitée) was founded in 1904 for the purpose of manufacturing and selling Ford automobiles in Canada
and the British Empire
. The Ford Motor Company
in Detroit transferred the patent and selling rights to the Walkerville Wagon Company, in order to avoid the tariff rates for non-British Empire countries. The Company was originally known as the Walkerville Wagon Works, and was located in Walkerville, Ontario (now incorporated within Windsor
, Ontario
). The Company President Gordon McGregor convinced a group of investors to invest in Henry Ford
's new automobile, which was being produced across the river in Detroit.
On August 17, 1904, the Ford Motor Company was founded in Walkerville, Ontario
. The Company had gained all Ford patent rights and selling privileges to all parts of the British Empire, except Great Britain and Ireland
. The Model C, the first car to be produced in Canada, rolled out of the factory in late September 1904. The Company could produce two cars at a time and in its first full year of production, the Company was able to produce 117 automobiles. The Company's first export sales were to Calcutta, India
. The Company is still an important manufacturing enterprise in Windsor.
With the growth in car sales after World War II
, Ford of Canada decided to move its head office and build a new assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario
. The new Oakville assembly plant was opened in 1953. In order to meet ever increasing demand, the Company opened another assembly plant in Talbotville, Ontario in 1967.
Historically Ford was one of most powerful companies in Canada, and in the 1970s, Ford was the "largest" company in Canada. Ford of Canada celebrated its Centennial in 2004, shortly after the Parent Company Ford in the United States
did in 2003.
In 2010, Ford was embroiled in a controversy surrounding a plan to construct a massive gas-fired power plant to be operated by TransCanada
on a disused 13.5 acres (54,632.6 m²) portion of its Oakville assembly plant. Local residents and politicians have pleaded with Ford not to continue with the plan, which is believed by many to threaten the health and safety of local residents. With the recent catastrophic explosion
at a gas-fired power plant in Middletown, Connecticut
, and the 2008 Toronto propane explosion, many believe that a buffer zone for such plants is required and that the Ford site is inappropriate due to its close proximity to homes and schools.
Current CEO and President of Ford Motor Company of Canada is David Mondragon, effective September 1, 2008, replacing Barry Engle who resigned to join New Holland America
as its CEO. William H. Osborne
had held the position since 2005 and was replaced by Engle in February 2008.
The firm both sells automobiles in Canada
, and manufactures automobiles, for sale in Canada
and other countries.
Canadian French
Canadian French is an umbrella term referring to the varieties of French spoken in Canada. French is the mother tongue of nearly seven million Canadians, a figure constituting roughly 22% of the national population. At the federal level it has co-official status alongside English...
: Ford du Canada Limitée) was founded in 1904 for the purpose of manufacturing and selling Ford automobiles in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. The Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in Detroit transferred the patent and selling rights to the Walkerville Wagon Company, in order to avoid the tariff rates for non-British Empire countries. The Company was originally known as the Walkerville Wagon Works, and was located in Walkerville, Ontario (now incorporated within Windsor
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
). The Company President Gordon McGregor convinced a group of investors to invest in Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
's new automobile, which was being produced across the river in Detroit.
On August 17, 1904, the Ford Motor Company was founded in Walkerville, Ontario
Walkerville, Ontario
The former town of Walkerville Ontario, Canada is now a heritage precinct of Windsor Ontario. Incorporated in 1890, the town was founded by Hiram Walker, owner and producer of Canadian Club Whisky. Walker planned it as a 'model town’ ) that would be the envy of both the region and the continent...
. The Company had gained all Ford patent rights and selling privileges to all parts of the British Empire, except Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
. The Model C, the first car to be produced in Canada, rolled out of the factory in late September 1904. The Company could produce two cars at a time and in its first full year of production, the Company was able to produce 117 automobiles. The Company's first export sales were to Calcutta, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The Company is still an important manufacturing enterprise in Windsor.
With the growth in car sales after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Ford of Canada decided to move its head office and build a new assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
. The new Oakville assembly plant was opened in 1953. In order to meet ever increasing demand, the Company opened another assembly plant in Talbotville, Ontario in 1967.
Historically Ford was one of most powerful companies in Canada, and in the 1970s, Ford was the "largest" company in Canada. Ford of Canada celebrated its Centennial in 2004, shortly after the Parent Company Ford in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
did in 2003.
In 2010, Ford was embroiled in a controversy surrounding a plan to construct a massive gas-fired power plant to be operated by TransCanada
TransCanada
TransCanada may refer to:* Trans Canada Trail, a hiking trail system* Trans-Canada Highway, primary highway that runs across Canada* TransCanada Corp., an energy company based in Calgary, Alberta...
on a disused 13.5 acres (54,632.6 m²) portion of its Oakville assembly plant. Local residents and politicians have pleaded with Ford not to continue with the plan, which is believed by many to threaten the health and safety of local residents. With the recent catastrophic explosion
2010 Connecticut power plant explosion
The 2010 Connecticut power plant explosion occurred at the Kleen Energy Systems power station in Middletown, Connecticut, United States at 11:17 am EST on February 7, 2010. The plant had been under construction from February 2008, and was scheduled to start supplying energy in June 2010...
at a gas-fired power plant in Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
, and the 2008 Toronto propane explosion, many believe that a buffer zone for such plants is required and that the Ford site is inappropriate due to its close proximity to homes and schools.
Current CEO and President of Ford Motor Company of Canada is David Mondragon, effective September 1, 2008, replacing Barry Engle who resigned to join New Holland America
New Holland Ag
New Holland is a full range manufacturer of agricultural machinery. New Holland agricultural products include tractors, combine harvesters, balers, haying tools, equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care, grape harvesters....
as its CEO. William H. Osborne
William H. Osborne
William H. Osborne , former president and CEO of Federal Signal Corporation, was replaced by Dennis J. Martin on November 1, 2010...
had held the position since 2005 and was replaced by Engle in February 2008.
The firm both sells automobiles in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and manufactures automobiles, for sale in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and other countries.
Current facilities
| Plant | Location | Employees | Year opened | Year closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakville Assembly Oakville Assembly Oakville Assembly Complex is a Ford Motor Company automobile factory in Oakville, Ontario, Canada spanning . This landmark occupies the same site as, and combines, the former Ontario Truck plant and Oakville Assembly Plant and is clearly visible from the Queen Elizabeth Way and the Lakeshore West... Complex |
Oakville, Ontario Oakville, Ontario Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road... |
3,820 | 1953 | Still active | also Canadian Headquarters |
| St. Thomas Assembly St. Thomas Assembly St. Thomas Assembly is an automobile plant in Talbotville, Ontario, Canada. The factory is located near St. Thomas. The facility, encompassing opened in 1967 building the Ford Falcon.The plant closed September 15, 2011... Plant |
St. Thomas, Ontario St. Thomas, Ontario St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:... |
2,460 | 1968 | September 2011 | Only production facility for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor for fleet orders, Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car for limo operators |
| Windsor Engine Plant | Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
1,850 | 1978 | Scheduled to close permanently in 2014 | Produices Triton engines for F-150 |
| Essex Engine Plant | Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
542 | 1981; re-open late 2009 | 2007 | Flexible engine plant produced engine for Ford Mustang Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A... |
| Windsor Aluminum Plant | Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
940 | 1992 | Still active | Produces Duratec block |
Former facilities
| Plant | Location | Year opened | Year closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor Casting Windsor Casting Windsor Casting Plant was an Iron Foundry owned by Ford Motor Company in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The plant first opened November 9, 1934 and was located next to Ford Windsor engine plant in downtown Windsor. It was known to area residents as the "Foundry"... Plant |
Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
1934 | May 30, 2007 | Now Demolished |
| Essex Aluminum Plant | Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
1981 | February 13, 2009 | Built originally to make cylinder heads for Essex Engine Plant, later as joint venture with Alfa SA of Mexico subsidiary Nemak; once produced engines for Mustangs, E-series vans and F-series trucks |
| Ontario Truck Ontario Truck Ontario Truck was a Ford Motor Company truck factory in Oakville, Ontario, Canada which occupied the same site as the current Oakville Assembly plant.The Oakville Assembly and Ontario Truck site is a major landmark in Oakville... Plant |
Oakville, Ontario Oakville, Ontario Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road... |
1965 | 2004 | re-tooled and re-opened as part of Oakville Car Plant |
| Walkerville Plant | Windsor, Ontario Windsor, Ontario Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor... |
1904 | 1953 | near 3001 Riverside Drive East - former Canadian Headquarters and main assembly operations also known as Plant 1; demolished 1969 and now abandoned lands facing Fleming Channel |
Current vehicles produced
- Ford Crown VictoriaFord Crown Victoria-1992–1994:Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline . The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised...
(Includes livery and Police InterceptorFord Crown Victoria Police InterceptorThough the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1978–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias and 1992 updated body style used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet/taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S...
models) - St. Thomas - will cease production in September 2011 - Ford EdgeFord EdgeThe Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
- Oakville - Ford FlexFord FlexThe Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Sales of the Flex began in...
- Oakville - Lincoln Town CarLincoln Town CarThe Lincoln Town Car is a full-size luxury sedan that was sold by the upscale Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company; it was produced from 1981 to the 2011 model years...
- from MY2008 - St. Thomas - will cease production in September 2011 - Lincoln MKXLincoln MKXThe Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover from Ford's Lincoln division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator luxury SUV. It debuted as a 2007 model in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show...
- Oakville - Lincoln MKTLincoln MKTThe Lincoln MKT is a full-size luxury crossover utility vehicle, first unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. It entered production at the Oakville Assembly plant in July 2009 as a 2010 model. It shares the same crossover D4 platform as the Ford Flex and...
- Oakville
Former vehicles produced
- Ford SVT Lightning (2nd Generation) - Oakville
- Mercury Monterey (Minivan) - Oakville
- Mercury MarauderMercury MarauderThe Marauder name first appeared as a 1963½ model in the full-size Mercury lineup. It was available as a 2-door hardtop with a forward-slanted "fastback" roofline; this was the reverse of the Breezeway roof introduced on other full-size Mercurys...
- Ford F-150 - Oakville
- Ford FreestarFord FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a minivan that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 2004 until November 2006. It replaced the Ford Windstar for the 2004 model year. The name change accommodated Ford's strategy to rename all their cars to words beginning in F...
- Oakville - Ford WindstarFord WindstarThe Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by the Ford Motor Company from the 1995 to 2003 model years. This front-wheel drive minivan was the second minivan designed by the company, serving as a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Aerostar minivan. The two were sold concurrently...
- Oakville - Ford Tempo/Mercury TopazFord TempoThe Ford Tempo is a coupe/sedan car model that was produced by Ford Motor Company for model years 1984 to 1994. It was a downsized successor to the boxy Ford Fairmont that introduced "jellybean" styling, which would later be shown on the larger 1986 Ford Taurus. and was replaced in 1994 by the...
- Oakville - Ford Model-A - Walkerville (Windsor)
- Ford Model-CFord Model CThe Ford Model C is a version of the first Ford Model A with more modern look. It has a slightly more powerful engine and 15 cm longer wheelbase. It was the entry-level car in the Ford model lineup, slotting below the upscale Model B. Production ended in 1905 with 800 cars made...
- Walkerville (Windsor) - Ford Model-KFord Model KFord Model K was an upscale automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1906 and replaced the earlier Model B. The model K was aimed at the top end of the market and featured an inline-6 giving 40 hp...
- Walkerville (Windsor) - Ford Model-NFord Model NThe Ford Model N is an automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1906 as a successor to the Models A, C and F as the company's inexpensive entry-level line....
- Walkerville (Windsor) - Ford Model-T - Walkerville (Windsor)
- Ford TorinoFord TorinoThe Ford Torino is an intermediate automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. The car was named after the city of Turin , which is considered the Detroit of Italy...
- Oakville - Ford Falcon - Oakville
- Ford MaverickFord MaverickThe Ford Motor Company has marketed the following models using the Ford Maverick nameplate:* The Ford Maverick , a sport-styled compact car sold in North America and Brazil during the 1970s....
- Oakville - Ford Econoline - Oakville
- Ford-produced Canadian Military Pattern truckCanadian Military Pattern truckThe Canadian Military Pattern truck was a class of military truck made in large numbers in Canada during World War II to British Army specifications for use in the armies of the British Commonwealth allies. CMP trucks were also sent to the Soviet Union following the Nazi invasion of Russia, as...
during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- Windsor - Mercury Grand MarquisMercury Grand MarquisThe Mercury Grand Marquis was a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan sold by the Lincoln-Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company; the Grand Marquis was the flagship of the Mercury lineup. The nameplate itself had been in use since 1975 as the premium trim level of the Mercury Marquis; the Grand...
- St. Thomas - Mercury MeteorMercury MeteorThe Mercury Meteor was an automobile model produced by the Lincoln Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company from 1961 to 1963. For 1961, the name was applied to low-end full-sized vehicles; for 1962 and 1963, the name was applied to Mercury's mid-sized sedans, in a marketing attempt to appeal to...
- Windsor, Oakville - Mercury MonarchMercury MonarchThe Mercury Monarch is a compact sedan manufactured by the Ford Motor Company; it was sold by the Lincoln-Mercury division from 1975 to 1980....
- Oakville