October 31, 2025 New facility will create up to 3,000 direct jobs and protect province’s auto manufacturing supply chain ST. THOMAS – Today, the Ontario government celebrated an important milestone in the building of Volkswagen’s Power Co facility in St. Thomas, which is set to be Canada’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery plant with initial production expected to start in 2027. With contracts given to two local companies, concrete pouring has officially begun at Power Co’s $7 billion EV manufacturing site, establishing a foundation for the 350-acre industrial area. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty, our government continues to create the conditions for businesses and workers to succeed,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We commend Power Co for moving swiftly to bring this project to life and for recognizing the resilience of Ontario’s world-class workforce, as well as our province’s strong leadership in the auto and advanced manufacturing sectors.” First announced in March 2023, Volkswagen’s Power Co will return advanced manufacturing to St. Thomas by directly employing up to 3,000 skilled workers at the plant while supporting thousands more indirect jobs throughout the supply chain and broader economy. The commencement of concrete pouring marks just one of several significant updates on progress, with further investments in local infrastructure and utilities planned. “Today marks a big milestone for Power Co Canada, as we officially mark the beginning of construction on our third and largest EV gigafactory worldwide,” said Frank Blome, CEO of Power Co SE. “Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment while positioning Canada at the forefront of innovative EV battery production. We aim to build a global battery champion with a strong footprint in Europe and North America.” Once complete, this facility will introduce Power Co’s advanced battery technology into the North American market; it will serve as their third and largest project globally. Over the past four years, Ontario has attracted over $46 billion in new investments related to vehicle manufacturing and the EV battery supply chain-linking critical mineral resources from northern Ontario with southern manufacturing expertise. As global dynamics change rapidly, the Ontario government continues taking bold steps to safeguard workers while creating new opportunities that enhance its status as one of the most competitive places within G7 countries for investment growth.
Quick Facts
Headquartered in Germany, Volkswagen Group is among the world’s biggest automakers with $528 billion CAD in sales revenue recorded during 2024. On March 13, 2025, Volkswagen revealed that its subsidiary Power Co would establish an EV battery manufacturing facility located in St. Thomas-aiming to centralize all North American activities. Significant contracts were awarded primarily focused on foundational work involving Magil Construction Canada Inc., covering three major buildings at this site including preparation requiring 500 thousand square feet of formwork along with approximately 32 thousand five hundred cubic meters worth concrete alongside roughly four thousand eight hundred fifty tonnes pertaining rebar components through Steelcon overseeing steel component installations. Ontario’s automotive industry supports over one hundred thousand direct positions along with hundreds more indirectly across various sectors including more than seven hundred parts firms plus over five hundred tool makers leading into four hundred connected autonomous vehicle businesses overall.Quotes
“The momentum we’re seeing here in St. Thomas is nothing short of remarkable. This investment is driving real opportunity across our region by creating good jobs building strong partnerships restoring pride into Ontario’s manufacturing roots The future lies ahead being constructed right here benefiting families locally generations down.” – Rob FlackMPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London “The excitement felt throughout St Thomas can’t be missed during this monumental construction milestone where tangible prosperity arrives quickly supporting hundreds local jobs providing economic boosts community wide” – Joe Preston
Mayor of St. Thomas
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