The federal government has announced the launch of a $100 million auto supplier program to support new product development.

The government will accept applications for contributions under the program starting today.

He says the new fund will support innovation by encouraging important new investments in automotive-sector activities, such as prototype development, process engineering and product testing.

The program will complement existing initiatives that support the automotive sector, such as the Automotive Innovation Fund.

Through a five-year $100-million plan, the program is expected to help Canadian suppliers, mainly small and medium-sized businesses, bring ideas in their early stages to the marketplace, so that Canadian-made components find their place in the global chain of manufacturers.

Goodyear released details of the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program at a news conference in Windsor on Wednesday behalf of Industry Minister James Moore.

He spoke at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association 2015 Annual Conference and Exhibition, which is currently taking place at Caesars Windsor.