[mugs99]

That plant has horrendous union problems, horrendous absentee problems and is faced with the possibility of being either sold or shut down

ROFL!
Toyota Canada reminds me of another automaker that thought Canada would be better than the US...Studebaker.
...

[kanawa]

Toyota Canada reminds me of another automaker that thought Canada would be better than the US...Studebaker.

Japanese Auto Industry in Ontario

Honda, Alliston,Ontario. Start-up November,1986. Production 392,230 (2003)

Toyota Cambridge,Ontario. Start-up November,1988. Production 227,540 (2003)

Cami Automotive (Suzuki/GM), Ingersoll, Ontario. Start-up April, 1989. Production 51,475 (2003)

And all their Auto Parts, Machine Tools and Materials Suppliers

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Then there are the other mfgs...

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
The CVMA’s membership includes DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited; and International Truck and Engine Corporation Canada.
Plant locations in Ontario...
Brampton
Oakville
St. Thomas
Oshawa

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Here's a site with lots of info on Ontario's Auto Industry

Relevant to the education issue it asserts that "43% of our auto manufacturing employees have completed their post-secondary education versus 27% in the U.S."

It also makes claims regarding Productivity...

[beaver fever]

Studebacker folded because their bodywork was manufactured by Fisher in Dearborn.

When GM bought the Fisher bodyworks they refused to sell to Studebacker and put them out of business.

Studebacker tried to come back with the all aluminum Avanti but couldn't recover.

In it's last year of operation a Studebacker Avanti won the land speed record at Bonneville salt flats running a turbcharged Packard engine.

http://aoai.org/bonville.htm

Unions didn't kill Studebacker, GM did and they went on to brag that Chevrolet's had a body by Fisher.

Meanwhile no GM product at the time could beat 200 mph in the measured mile.