OTTAWA, July 6, 2009 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, issued the following statement after a meeting with Fiat Executive Vice President of Business Development Ferruccio Luppi earlier today in Turin, Italy:
"We had a substantive and constructive meeting with Fiat's Vice President. We discussed the future of the company in Canada, including the company's plans for research and development.
"Fiat recognizes, as do many industry analysts, that the two Canadian plants in Windsor and Brampton are among the most competitive plants within the Chrysler Group LLC.
"The Government of Canada is looking forward to working with the Chrysler Group LLC as it implements its restructuring plan for North America.
"The auto industry directly employs over 150 000 Canadians, plus another 340 000 indirectly. It is our largest industry within the manufacturing sector and represents 14 percent of our manufacturing output and 23 percent of manufactured exports."
For further information (media only), please contact:
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
