Global Automakers of Canada member companies contributed $24.9 billion to Canada's GDP in 2024, supported 217,259 jobs, and generated $10.6 billion in government revenue, with approximately one-in-five vehicles sold in Canada produced domestically by companies like Honda and Toyota.
- Economic Impact: GAC member companies contributed $24.9 billion to GDP in 2024
- Employment: The automotive sector supported 217,259 industry jobs across Canada
- Domestic Production: About 1-in-5 vehicles sold by GAC members are made in Canada by Honda and Toyota
- Trade Shifts: Mexican vehicle imports increased from 8% to 21% (2010-2024), while US imports remain the largest source at nearly 50%
- Government Revenue: The industry generated $10.6 billion in government revenue in 2024
About one-in-five vehicles sold in Canada were produced domestically, according to new figures provided by the Global Automakers of Canada.
According to GAC’s May 2025 Economic Contribution report written by Brendan Sweeney, the managing director of Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing, “Canadians increasingly choose to drive vehicles made by GAC Member companies. About one in five of those vehicles are made in Canada, by either Toyota or Honda.” This ratio highlights that about 20 percent of the vehicles being sold by GAC member companies were built and produced right here in Canada, and is actively supporting the assembly plant and manufacturing jobs and capital coming into Canada’s economy.
This report comes during a difficult period for the Canadian automotive sector, which is struggling as a result of trade disruptions with the U.S. It highlights how important cross-border trade is.
According to the report, there have been many changes in percentages of imports from other countries into Canada.
“Between 2010-2024, imports from Mexico went from 8% to 21% over the 15 years, European imports dropped by 3% from 17 to 14%, and the U.S remains Canada’s largest partner for imports at just under half of all GAC vehicles coming from the U.S." the report states.
As Canada diversifies their cross-border trade partners in the past two years, these numbers could have changed since 2024.
"In 2024, the economic contributions associated with GAC member companies led to $24.9 billion to GDP, supported 217, 259 industry jobs, and $10.6 billion in government revenue,” said Sweeney.
“Recent history has shown us that we cannot take the Canadian automotive industry, nor the companies participating in it, for granted. The external threat to our industry from our closest ally has – if nothing else – seared into our collective consciousness the importance of the automotive industry to the Canadian economy,” said David Adams, the president and CEO of Global Automakers Canada.
The Global Automakers of Canada is an association that represents 16 of the top automaker companies including Honda and Toyota and aims to inform members of updates and policies that may affect them, advocate for the automotive industry and help create solutions for any issues impacting the industry.
