General Motors
of Canada Company
GM Communications
Oshawa, Ontario
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GM Canada President Steve Carlisle Challenges Canada To
Anchor A New Role In Future Automotive Technology, Jobs
And Innovation Supply Chains
Announces $1 million in support for the University of Waterloo’s
“Educating the Engineer of the Future campaign” and launches a
new GM Automotive Innovation Outpost at Communitech
TORONTO, (November 10, 2015) – In remarks to the Canadian Club in Toronto,
GM Canada president and managing director Steve Carlisle today called on
governments in Canada to act quickly to carve out a purposeful role in a fast
changing automotive sector that is increasingly defined by electric vehicles,
connected and autonomous driving cars and new approaches to urban mobility.
“No company, country or government owns this space, but we see that Canada has
distinct advantages in mobile technology, engineering skills, applied research and a
strong automotive history,” said Carlisle. “As Canada prepares to invest billions in
much needed urban transportation infrastructure, we need to understand how new
automotive technologies and urban mobility approaches can increase infrastructure
ROI, accelerate environmental benefits and anchor new high skilled Canadian jobs
at the forefront of a new automotive innovation supply chain.”
In April 2015, GM Canada announced it that has been awarded a new automotive
R&D and innovation mandate at its Oshawa Engineering Centre, focused on fast
emerging “connected car” and the development of new urban mobility solutions.
The company is hiring 100 new software engineers and engaging a growing
ecosystem of select Canadian universities, accelerators and suppliers in its
mandate.
Carlisle announced that GM Canada will support the University of Waterloo’s
Engineering Faculty by providing $1 million to fund a Research Chair in advanced
materials while also sponsoring engineering student Capstone design projects
involving software development, which is key to GM Canada’s work on “the
connected car.”
Dean of Engineering Dr. Pearl Sullivan said, “Waterloo Engineering has a
longstanding partnership with GM Canada. Their support of our Educating the
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of Canada Company
GM Communications
Oshawa, Ontario
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Engineer of the Future campaign allows us to collaborate further to advance
innovations in automotive lightweighting and connectivity.”
Carlisle also announced that GM Canada will establish an innovation research
outpost within Waterloo’s Communitech innovation research hub with initial focus
on urban mobility, car sharing and mobile app innovation.
“Communitech has developed a unique innovation ecosystem that allows enterprise
companies and startups to collaborate and innovate together,” said Communitech
CEO Iain Klugman “General Motors Canada is a great addition to this ecosystem, as
our startup and mid-sized companies will benefit from having access to a world
class automotive company, while GM Canada will be exposed to new concepts,
technologies and ways of thinking about opportunities in the automotive sector.”
Quick Facts
 GM has a significant industry lead in the availability of 4G LTE connectivity
turning its cars into powerful mobile hot spots able to support up to seven
streaming mobile devices.
 GM’s OnStar Remote Link app allows customers to use their smartphone to
remote start their car, open door locks, check tire pressure, oil life and more.
 GM is supporting a range of car sharing projects internationally including one
in New York with a fleet of cars available to condo owners 24/7 as part of
their condo fees, reservable by specialized app.
 GM sells three plug in electric vehicle models in Canada including Canada’s
largest-selling plug in electric car, the Chevrolet Volt.
 GM has announced that in 2016 it will launch the affordable, all-electric
Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle in Canada with 320km range before
recharging.
 GM has launched its “Teen Driver” app, allowing parents to track distance,
speed, overspeed warnings, antilock engagement and with seat belt
promoting technologies on certain vehicles.
 GM Canada currently manages approximately $190 million research and
development work per year with a wide range of leading Canadian suppliers
and universities.
 The Oshawa Engineering Centre activities include development of new
“connected car” software and active controls, new urban mobility solutions
and innovation in the use of batteries, alternative fuels, light-weight and
advanced materials which help improve fuel economy.
General Motors
of Canada Company
GM Communications
Oshawa, Ontario
media.gm.ca
About General Motors in Canada
Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, General Motors of Canada employs more than 9,000
people across the country. GM Canada markets the full range of fuel-efficient Chevrolet,
Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles and related services through Canada's largest automotive
dealer network. More information regarding GM vehicles can be found at www.gm.ca. To
learn more about innovation and the future of the automotive industry visit
www.gminnovates.ca or follow @GMCanada and #GMInnovatesCA on Twitter.
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