Welcome to a New Decade and the new APMA…

  and hopefully to better times and greater prosperity within the Canadian automotive industry.

 2009 presented unprecedented challenges and economic turmoil like we have not experienced for a very long time within the automotive industry. However by the end of 2009 the signs were already very positive with sales in both US and Canada for the month of December continuing at very encouraging levels.  December sales in the United States, 1,030,096 vehicles, represented a 15% increase from December 2008 and offered significant encouragement for continued strong sales as we enter into the New Year.  More importantly perhaps, for us as suppliers, overall, North American production in November rose 7% from year earlier levels to 911,157 units.  This was the first year-over-year production increase we have experienced in 21 months.  December likewise also looks to offer production gains over 2008. 

As I settle into my new role as president of the APMA, I want to offer my personal commitment that APMA will do everything possible to be the strongest voice possible in all areas that affect suppliers.  We will drive the organization to be professional, relevant and responsive to suppliers' demands and issues. We will continue to build strong working relationships with governments at all levels, with OEMs and with our partners.  Our focus will not only be in North America, but on a global basis, as it must be in this day and age.  We fully recognize that we must change and evolve with the industry if we are going to continue to be able to enjoy your confidence and support which is a critical value to us as we move forward.

Already the year is starting off positively.  Through the excellent efforts of the Canadian Consulate in Detroit, we have been able to secure Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler LLC as our keynote speaker at the Canada-U.S. Automotive Dinner on Monday, March 15, 2010.  Chrysler is a symbolic and significant representation of our desire and need to revitalize and rebuild the North American automotive industry and I'm sure you will find his comments enlightening, challenging and highly valuable.  Earlier in the day on March 15, APMA will hold its Windsor-Detroit Regional Meeting.   We will have more information available shortly with respect to speakers for this event.

Perhaps you also saw the information that we released with respect to the dual sourcing of General Motors global Epsilon platform at both Hamtramck and Oshawa.   In error, this information became available to media, when it was intended only to be distributed to our senior industry contacts.  In this regard, we did cause GM some significant issues and I offer my sincere apologies to GM for this.  Nonetheless, we are committed to continuing to be on top of changes in the automotive industry and making sure that you, our members, are made aware of critical intelligence that will affect your business on a go forward basis.

I look forward to the challenges we face in making the Canadian automotive industry more competitive on a global basis.  Bear with us as we evolve and focus on continuing to establish the APMA as a vital and significant organization representing Canadian suppliers.  If you have any comments or ideas, please contact one of the staff at APMA or myself at srodgers@apma.ca.

Steve Rodgers

President

APMA