It began on Aug. 17, 1904. Although barely one year old, Ford took its first step outside of the U.S. into Canada when Henry Ford and Gordon McGregor inked a deal that created the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited in Walkerville, now Windsor, Ontario. It was a venture that established the Canadian auto industry, as we know it today.
It All Started in Walkerville, Now Windsor, Ontario
Ford of Canada started with 17 employees and built 117 cars, including Ford Model C and Model B, in the first 12 months. As the country’s longest-established automaker, Ford of Canada is proud to have employed thousands of Canadians over the years and produced everything from cars and trucks to vans and SUVs, not to mention Ford V8 engines.
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Gordon McGregor’s Walkerville Wagon Works in 1904
“Although 120 years in Canada is an incredible milestone, what makes me proud is the innovation and determination it took to get here,” said Bev Goodman, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. “That hard work has made the Ford F-Series the best-selling pickup in Canada for 58 consecutive years and has made Ford the best-selling automotive brand in the country for 15 years running.”
Accelerating Into the Future
Ford of Canada celebrates its history while keeping its eyes on the horizon. The future is fueled by must-have products and services – and Canada plays a pivotal role, helping to drive Ford’s business forward.
From the Ford Mustang and the Ford F-150 to the Ford F-Series Super Duty, Canada powers some of the company’s most iconic vehicles. The team at the Ford Windsor Site produce the engines that both thrill customers with exhilarating and fun-to-drive experiences and supports them at home and at work with durability and capability.
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Ford F-Series Super Duty powered by a Windsor built engine
And, from phone to home to car, our customers want their digital world their way, optimized for their time behind the wheel. That’s what our product development teams in Ottawa, Waterloo, and Oakville enable – always-on and ever-improving in-vehicle experiences.
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Helping deliver in-demand technologies
Plus, starting in 2026, Oakville Assembly Complex begins producing one of the company’s most popular and profitable vehicles – Ford F-Series Super Duty. Adding Super Duty production in Oakville adds jobs at the Windsor Site as well, and also paves the way to bring multi-energy technology to the next generation of Super Duty trucks, giving customers more freedom of choice.
“Our legacy goes way beyond the cars and trucks that we make. For 120 years, we've applied Ford’s values and entrepreneurial spirit to build a better world,” said Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue. “Throughout the past 12 decades, every sale of a Ford and Lincoln vehicle represents a relationship and a commitment to our customers. That’s what our Ford of Canada team brings to the table every day, they focus on what’s important - the customer.”
The Heart of Ford of Canada
Today, the world around us continues to change. From Ford Blue to Ford Model e, Ford Pro to manufacturing and parts distribution, Ford Credit and our dealer partners, thousands of team members across the country are inspired to deliver Ford+ with distinctive products, always-on relationships with customers, and ever-improving user experiences.
“The heart that has powered this organization for 120 years and will propel us into the future is our people. Our amazing Canadian team, along with our network of Dealers, have always been at the core of our success and longevity,” said Goodman. “On behalf of the entire leadership team, let me take a
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Ford of Canada employees in Oakville volunteer in the community
Our Commitment to Canadians
Every Ford rolling down a Canadian road reflects 120 years of experience, knowledge, and innovation. Looking forward, we’ll continue to be here for Canadians in the decades and centuries ahead – every step of the way. Building trust, one kilometre, one moment, one Ford, at a time.
