The Government of Canada has announced five new projects to be supported by the Automotive Partnership Canada initiative (APC).
As a result of these new projects, Canadian drivers will benefit from research into new technologies for the automobile industry that will develop a battery pack thermal management system for hybrid electric vehicles, more efficient systems for wheel production, performance-enhancing catalytic converters, enhanced fuel cell technology and improved automotive manufacturing workplace design and ergonomics.
“Our government is investing in research and development with the Canadian automobile industry to make sure these businesses continue to grow, create jobs and increase our ability to compete internationally,” said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). “These projects will develop new technologies and bring them to the marketplace for the benefit of Canadians.”
These university-industry partnerships will receive more than $16-million in total project support. This includes $6.5-million in funding through the APC, and close to $10-million from industry and other contributions.
Two of Simon Fraser University’s projects will be in partnership with Future Vehicle Technologies and Ballard Power Systems; The University of British Columbia will work with Canadian Autoparts Toyota Inc.; the University of Alberta will team up with Vida Holdings Incorporated; and McMaster University will collaborate with the United States Council for Automotive Research. These partnerships will be supported with funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
Announced by the Government of Canada in April 2009, APC is a five-year, $145-million initiative that supports collaborative research and development and pushes the Canadian automotive industry to greater levels of innovation. As an industry-driven initiative, automotive companies play a key role by providing both financial support and essential in-kind contributions to ensure the research projects’ success.