As we enter a new year where Canadian economic sovereignty is a top priority and our automotive industry faces an uncertain future, discussions have been heating up about the prospect of a truly Canadian car company. With insights from the report’s co-authors, Brendan Sweeney and Greg Keenan, this episode unpacks a new Trillium Network report that provides insight into the feasibility of a Canadian car company, who might be involved, and how Canada’s auto-making expertise could be turned into a commercially-viable OEM.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:58 Special Guest Host Introduction

03:14 Why a Canadian Car Company is a Hot Topic

06:54 Does Canada Already Have a Car Company?

16:59 Turning Auto-Making Expertise Into a Commercially-Viable OEM

26:05 How Governments Can Help

32:55 Likely Company Structure and Partners

40:23 Biggest Challenges

41:41 Leveraging Canada’s Strengths in Automation and Nuclear

Highlighted Links

1. Trillium Network: Shifting Gears: The Potential for a Canadian Car Company trilliummfg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/January-5-Shifting-Gears_TrilliumNetwork.pdf
2. Wired: That Disastrous Car Homer Simpson Designed Was Actually Ahead of Its Time

wired.com/2014/07/homer-simpson-car/

1. Magna Torrero: magna.com/company/company-information/facts-history/magna-torrero

Find Out More About Trillium

1. Trillium website: trilliummfg.ca
2. Trillium GIS: trilliumgis.ca
3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trilliummfg
4. X/Twitter: x.com/TrilliumMfg
5. Instagram: instagram.com/trilliummfg
6. Facebook: facebook.com/trilliummfg
7. Old ‘Making it in Ontario’ Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/making-it-in-ontario-past

About the Making it in Ontario Podcast

Making it in Ontario is your window into what's next in manufacturing. Ontario’s economy depends on manufacturing, but the latest research reveals concerning trends that could undermine the sector’s strength—if we don’t address them. Join us as we talk to CEOs and other leaders at the forefront of the sector about productivity, strategy, talent markets and career opportunities, and the role of manufacturing in a prosperous and sustainable future.

This podcast is an initiative of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing. It is produced by Storied Places Media.