An ongoing blockade in Windsor, Ontario, near the Ambassador Bridge is leading to production cuts at assembly plants and warnings of delays in new vehicle shipments to dealerships. Stay with this live blog for the latest developments at one of North American’s busiest land border crossings and the impact in the automotive industry:
Feb. 10, 1:17 p.m.: Trade associations say blockade straining auto supply chain
Industry groups representing the Detroit 3 automakers, suppliers and equipment manufacturers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to improve efforts to address the ongoing blockade at the Ambassador Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border.
Feb. 10, 12:52 p.m.: Windsor mayor says protesters could be removed by force
Reuters reports Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, has called the blockade illegal and asked protesters to return home. Police near the Ambassador Bridge have begun receiving additional manpower.
“(If) the protesters don’t leave, there will have to be a path forward. If that means physically removing them, that means physically removing them, and we’re prepared to do that,” Dilkens said.
Dilkens and Canadian auto industry officials will be holding a press conference at 2 pm ET to provide an update on the local response to the protests, disrupting U.S.-Canada trade along the Ambassador Bridge. Also present will be:
- Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
- Brian Kingston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
- Rakesh Naidu, President & CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Automotive News Canada journalists will cover the press conference. Live updates will be posted on the Automotive News Twitter account.