The Ontario government is maintaining that the billions spent to attract electric vehicle manufacturers haven’t gone to waste, even after Ford Motor Company revealed plans to produce gas-powered trucks at a plant initially intended for zero-emission vehicles.
On Thursday, the American automaker announced it would begin producing F-Series Super Duty trucks at its Oakville Assembly Complex in summer 2026, with an electric model set to follow “later this decade.”
This change means they won’t be building a battery facility, according to the union, and will push back electric vehicle plans.
In recent years, both the Trudeau and Ford governments have rolled out billions in incentives to entice electric vehicle manufacturers to Ontario, highlighting the province’s supply of rare metals and skilled labor as key factors – along with generous tax-funded subsidies.
“We’ve seen huge worldwide increases in EV demand, huge Canadian increase in EV demand,” Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli stated.
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“So no, this is Ford recognizing they’ve got a (gas-powered) product that they need another 100,000 made and there’s just no better place to make them than in Ontario.”
Honda, Volkswagen, and Stellantis are among companies that have committed to long-term visions for electric vehicles in Ontario.
Ford Motors joined that list last year when it announced plans to invest $1.8 billion to convert the facility into an electric vehicle manufacturing hub, which includes vehicle and battery pack assembly.
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However, after initially planning to kick off EV production at the plant in 2025, the company revealed in April that it was delaying this until 2027. This gives more time for consumer market development and further advancements in EV battery technology.
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Now, it intends to prioritize gas-powered cars first at Oakville.
Fedeli noted that starting F-Series Super Duty production by summer 2026 means unionized workers will return sooner.
“This is great news from Ford – there’ll be 1,800 men and women going back to work a year earlier,” he mentioned.
According to Fedeli, announcing plans for both the Super Duty followed by an electric version will lead to more investment and jobs than before. He stated that initial investments increased from $1.8 billion to $2.3 billion now with an additional 400 jobs for a new stamping facility plus 150 new positions at another site in Windsor.
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“I think the heavy sales of the F-series trucks – it’s the number-one selling vehicle,” Fedeli explained.
The company said in a press release on Thursday that demand for Super Duty was so high their U. S. plants can’t keep up. This prompted them to shift Oakville toward gas vehicles while allowing operations there to resume a year early.
“Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world; even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out we can’t meet demand,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Farley.
“At the same time we look forward to introducing three-row electric utility vehicles while leveraging our experience with these types of vehicles as America’s No. 2 electric vehicle brand.”
Unifor welcomed this development on behalf of Ford Motors employees at Oakville. “This new retooling plan for the Oakville plant addresses our union’s concerns with Ford Motor Company’s decision to delay new vehicle production for a period that was too long, too disruptive, too harmful”, said Unifor national president Lana Payne. “Working together with local unions company executives, we reached an agreement ensuring our members return sooner while also securing their jobs well into future.” Unifor mentioned that shifting focus toward producing Super Duty would create more jobs at stamping facilities but would also mean scrapping previous intentions of building batteries for EVs on-site. Fedeli expressed confidence about Ontario’s strategy aiming at becoming an electric vehicle hub still being effective, stating major car manufacturers remain committed towards transitioning into zero-emission vehicles. “These companies all around world have mandates move into electrical vehicles, shift is happening,” he asserted. “We’re very confident we’re making right moves. Just within Ontario alone they’ve invested $43 billion make transition.” – with files from The Canadian Pressp>
