CVMA Urges Continued NAFTA Negotiations on Rules of Origin

TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - The members of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA) encourage the NAFTA negotiating teams to preserve NAFTA rules of origin provisions that support and maintain automotive production in North America.  Because of the complexity and numerous interrelated features of the rules of origin, any change would have a cascade effect on other provisions which would lead to unintended and highly disruptive consequences for the North American manufacturing industry and the thousands of jobs the supply chain supports across the three countries.

"Canadian automotive manufacturing has developed as part of the North American trade bloc.  We build vehicles and parts together in a highly integrated and competitive way that benefits us all. Any increase in the rules of origin would add complexity, burden and cost; thus reducing Canada's competitiveness as well as the competitiveness of the trade bloc as a whole," stated Mark Nantais, CVMA President.  "It is in our mutual interest to maintain provisions that will support - and not harm - the North American automotive manufacturing industry."

Motor vehicles are Canada's number one export and over 90% of the vehicles produced in Canada by CVMA member companies are exported annually. 

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 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited and General Motors of Canada Limited. Collectively its members account for 60% of vehicles produced in Canada, operate 5 vehicle assembly plants as well as engine and components plants, and have over 1,300 dealerships. 130,000 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)