General Motors to build new technology centre in Markham

Yorkregion.com
June 10, 2016
By Amanda Persico

General Motors vehicles will now have a ‘Made in Markham’ sticker.

Announced today, GM is expanding its engineering and software development core with a focus on new automotive systems and technologies for the future.

Part of the expansion includes building a new research and development facility in Markham.

“We are very proud of Markham’s status as Canada’s high-tech capital and thrilled that the new General Motors’ R&D centre is coming to Markham,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said. "With over 1,100 high-tech and life sciences companies, our city is an ideal location for this new centre for information technology and automotive innovation.”

New engineering work will focus on autonomous vehicle software, active safety technology and infotainment and connected mobility systems.

“We selected Canada for this expansion because of its clear capacity for innovation, proven talen and strong ecosystem of great universtieis, startups and innovative suppliers,” GM global product development executive vice-president, Mark Reuss said.

“With this expansion, GM Canada will play an important role in our evolution toward vehicles that are connected, autonomous, shared and electric.”

GM is adding an additional engineering 1,000 jobs, with about 300 to be in the existing Oshawa tech centre and the remainder housed in the new Markham facility.

“General Motors’ announcement is very welcome, and not surprising - more and more high-tech firms are selecting York Region for their operations,” York Region chairperson and CEO Wayne Emmerson said. “Our extensive investments in modern infrastructure, rapid transit, complete communities and economic development make us an extremely attractive location for leading-edge technology firms.”
The exact location and investment amount into Markham’s software development centre have yet to be announced.

Markham is already home to Honda Canada’s headquarters as well as MOBIS, a parts and logistics distribution facility for Hyundai and Kai.

Recently announced, CieNET Technologies is set to buid the Canadian Centre fo Excellence for automotive technologies and the Ford 2017 GT supercar will feature Multimatic parts, another Markham company.