Happy New Year! Below are our top highlights from December, along with the 2025 year-in-review.
Ontario invests $2.6 million in skilled trades training
The Ontario government is investing $2.6 million to expand access to skilled trades experiences for youth by adding two new Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Trucks to the province’s fleet. The funding will support mobile training units that bring hands-on, interactive learning directly to schools and communities.
These mobile classrooms will help introduce youth and jobseekers to in-demand skilled trades careers, including manufacturing, construction and automotive sectors, while building practical, job-ready skills. The investment supports Ontario’s efforts to address workforce shortages and strengthen the future of the skilled trades. NEWS RELEASE
2026 Detroit Auto Show
Get ready for one of the most anticipated automotive events of the year. The 2026 Detroit Auto Show returns to downtown Detroit from Jan. 14 – 25, 2026, showcasing the latest in automotive design, technology and innovation from more than 40 top global brands. Whether you’re into cutting-edge electric vehicles, classic muscle cars, luxury marques, immersive indoor tracks, or interactive experiences like Racing Day and the Mobility Global Forum, there’s something for every car enthusiast and family to enjoy. GET YOUR TICKETS.
Stellantis expands Canadian workforce as Windsor assembly plant surpasses 1,000 new hires for third shift
Stellantis has reached a major milestone at its Windsor Assembly Plant, with more than 1,000 new hires onboard as it builds toward launching a third shift in early 2026 to meet rising production demand. The hiring push is part of a broader investment in Canada that includes significant job growth and underscores the company’s confidence in the region’s manufacturing talent. The Windsor plant continues to produce popular minivans and is gearing up for expanded output, reinforcing its role in Stellantis’s North American operations while supporting local economic growth. READ MORE
Automobility highlights from 2025
NEO Battery to open $69-million plant in Windsor
In January 2025, NEO Battery Materials Ltd., a leading Ontario-based company specializing in low-cost, high-capacity silicon-anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, announced a $69-million investment. The company plans to locate its 87,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Windsor on surplus land next to the Windsor International Airport. Beyond site selection, Invest WindsorEssex facilitated connections for Neo Battery with the City of Windsor, University of Windsor and various levels of government, providing access to incentive programs and paving the way for regional partnerships. MEDIA SCAN
Minth Group invests in new Windsor-Essex EV parts plant
Minth Group, a Canadian-owned global leader in automotive parts manufacturing, announced an investment of nearly $300 million in a new 379,415 sq. ft. facility in Windsor, Ont. This marks the first phase of a multi-building campus on 54 acres at Windsor International Airport and is expected to create 1,099 direct jobs. Invest WindsorEssex’s Investment Attraction team is proud to have supported an investment that will advance the production of components for electric and hybrid vehicles, backed by a $40-million loan from the Ontario government and incentives from the City of Windsor. The construction project, led by Rosati Construction, highlights Minth’s expansion in North America and its commitment to sustainable, innovative automotive manufacturing. MEDIA SCAN
Convoy Technologies drives innovation to Windsor-Essex with grand opening
Invest WindsorEssex was pleased to join Convoy Technologies, a leading provider of advanced safety and monitoring solutions for commercial vehicles, in celebrating the grand opening of their new 18,000 sq. ft. Canadian manufacturing facility in the Town of Tecumseh. This $17-million investment further strengthens Windsor-Essex as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing and mobility innovation.
Invest WindsorEssex’s Investment Attraction team together with the Town of Tecumseh began working with Convoy Technologies in September 2022, assisting with data analysis, navigating the manufacturing ecosystem, identifying potential sites, and connecting them to regional supports. MEDIA SCAN
Minth-AISIN joint venture
Building on its nearly $300-million investment, Minth Group Ltd. announced in early August 2025, the next phase of its North American growth strategy through a transformative joint venture with AISIN Corporation, a globally recognized Tier One automotive supplier. Invest WindsorEssex is proud to support Minth North America’s growth alongside our partners as Windsor-Essex strengthens its position as a hub for electric and hybrid vehicle component manufacturing. MEDIA SCAN
Ontario investing in the advanced manufacturing sector in Tecumseh
Ontario is investing $252,000 to support Moddulx in establishing a new 16,500 sq. ft. advanced manufacturing facility in Tecumseh. Invest WindsorEssex is proud to have supported Moddulx with the establishment of their new facility, highlighting the continued growth and strength of our region’s advanced manufacturing sector. Together, we are fostering innovation, collaboration and growth ensuring Windsor-Essex and Ontario remain leaders in advanced manufacturing. MEDIA SCAN
Battery Boost Technical Training Program exceeds training and employment targets
Invest WindsorEssex’s Automobility and Innovation Centre recently celebrated a major milestone for the Battery Boost Technical Training Program, delivered in partnership with NextStar Energy, Upskill Canada [powered by Palette Skills], the Government of Canada, Virtualware and The Job Shoppe.
Launched in early 2025 with more than $3.8 million in federal support, the program has far exceeded expectations. Originally targeting 400 trainees by March 2026, it has already trained 408 participants and placed 397 graduates in full-time battery manufacturing roles with an impressive 97 per cent placement rate. Graduates are earning an average of $13,900 more annually than before entering training and with 99 per cent entering the program with no prior battery or technician experience.
The celebration brought together partners, government representatives, employers and graduates to highlight this success and demonstrate the immersive virtual reality (VR) technology that powers the training. Guests heard remarks from Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Essex County Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti and Danies Lee, CEO of NextStar Energy, followed by participant testimonials and guided demonstrations of the VR lab. READ MORE | BATTERY BOOST INFOGRAPHIC