21 September 2009 GUELPH, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the opening of the new Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing at Linamar Corporation and also announced support for the company's Green and Fuel Efficient Powertrain Projects. These projects focus on the research and development of new environmentally-efficient automotive products, creating jobs for today and the future.
“Our government is investing in research and development as part of our long-term commitment to the auto sector, and particularly, skilled labour and suppliers,” said Prime Minister Harper. “With projects like the Green and Fuel Efficient Powertrain Projects, we are seizing the opportunities that will get us through these tough times, ensuring our country emerges stronger than ever and creating high-quality jobs in communities like Guelph.”
The Green and Fuel Efficient Powertrain Projects will develop and commercialize a wide range of new engines, transmissions and drivelines with greater durability, less weight and higher quality. These components are expected to contribute to increases in fuel economy and ultimately the manufacture of components used in advanced-technology vehicles.
Federal funding for the project was made through the Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF), which provides $250 million over five years to automotive-related companies in support of strategic, large-scale research and development projects in the automotive sector. The AIF was designed to help automotive-related firms strengthen their innovative capacity and to position them to compete successfully in the global economy, create jobs and support the development and implementation of innovative, fuel-efficient technologies.
