| The Canadian auto industry is still booming in spite | | | | in Oakville and Oshawa assembly plants have |
| predictions that Canadian auto buyers will slow down | | | | increased by more than 60 percent. This increase in |
| this year. In fact, based on the trend, it is expected that | | | | truck production though might seem contradictory to |
| Canadian auto sales will post an increase this year | | | | the demand for smaller vehicles. With more trucks |
| over 2006 figures. The reason for this is the continuing | | | | being produced, automakers will be forced to offer |
| healthy economy of the country. | | | | discounts for them in order to attract the attention of |
| Another indication that the country's auto industry is in | | | | auto buyers. |
| good shape is reported recently by The Business | | | | The increase in productivity in the Canadian auto |
| Edge. According to the Ontario paper, the productivity | | | | industry means that production of auto parts for |
| in the auto industry in Canada has increased more | | | | Canadian consumers such as those at Starter |
| than in the United States. The facts were announced | | | | Canada will also increase. The increase in production |
| by Scotiabank which is formally known as The Bank | | | | also means that the increasing demand in the |
| of Nova Scotia. | | | | Canadian auto market will be met. |
| According to reports, the lead of the Canadian auto | | | | The value of the loony may be increasing but analysts |
| sector over the United States' increased by eight | | | | fear that it will soon come to an end. But for now, |
| percent last year. In 2005, Canada leads the United | | | | Canadian auto buyers are still buying more vehicles. |
| States by five percent. The reports stated that the | | | | With a healthy economy, the number of people having |
| time required for workers in Canadian auto assembly | | | | successful careers will be able to afford to buy new |
| facility to assemble a vehicle became better by 3 | | | | cars. |
| percent. This increase is said to be 50 percent more | | | | This increase may put a stop to the trend which saw |
| than the increase in the overall economy of Canada. | | | | Canadian consumers buying their cars across the |
| Carlos Gomes, an auto industry specialist for | | | | border. This strategy is used by consumers since in |
| Scotiabank, says: "The widening of Canada's | | | | comparison they can buy cars in the United States |
| productivity lead in auto assembly reflects a record | | | | cheaper. |
| $10 billion in machinery and equipment investment, | | | | The increased car buying in Canada is also the result |
| mostly robotics and automation, over the past four | | | | of the discounts being offered by automakers to |
| years." | | | | consumers in the country. With more consumers |
| Gomes added: "Given the more than 40-per-cent | | | | staying away from large vehicles such as pickup |
| appreciation of the Canadian dollar, which has sharply | | | | trucks and SUVs, automakers are faced with the |
| eroded the competitive advantage of Canada's | | | | problem of getting rid of their produced light trucks. The |
| manufacturing sector, rising investment in machinery | | | | answer, of course, is offering discounts. With these |
| and equipment and ongoing productivity gains are | | | | discounts, Canadian auto buyers are attracted to buy |
| crucial to ensure the competitiveness of Canada's | | | | these large vehicles. The healthy economy of the |
| manufacturing base." | | | | country though is what allows automakers to offer |
| An example of the increasing productivity efficiency in | | | | discounts for their vehicles. |
| Canada, the Business Edge reported that truck output | | | | |