The impact of the decline in automotive manufacturing is strikingly apparent in Windsor, according to a new report by the Automotive Policy Research Centre out of Hamilton.
Even though the city has lost several large automotive manufacturing facilities, such as GM’s Windsor Powertrain, Chrysler’s Pillette Road Assembly, and Johnson Controls, Windsor still relies on the auto industry.
Between 2001 and 2013, the report shows Windsor lost 11,900 automotive manufacturing jobs.
The automotive assembly and parts manufacturing represented 1 in 5 full time jobs in 2001, but the ratio fell to 1 in 8 by 2013.
The report says this marked decline, especially in higher-paying assembly jobs, has had a noticeable impact on the well-being of families in the community – and not just the ones directly employed in the industry.
Between 2000 and 2012, younger families ages 25 to 34 saw the largest dollar decline of approximately $18,000.
There is some good news in the report however, the job market for motor vehicle manufacturing and parts manufacturing has improved slightly since 2011.
Windsor still has a large Chrysler assembly facility, two Ford engine plants, and a network of over 100 parts supplier plants.
The study shows about $7 billion in potential revenue has been forgone since 2001, due to the loss of automotive industry jobs in six cities in Southern Ontario, including Windsor.
