Ford announces layoffs at Oakville, Ontario plant as vehicle production delayed

Delays for the startup of electric vehicle (EV) production will force layoffs at the Oakville Ford plant.

The U.S. automaker has announced that plans to begin production will be put off for two years and will now commence in 2027.

Initial expectations called for the EV line to begin next year.

Ford said the delay will give the company time to further work on the development of EV batteries as well as to help fuel consumer interest in electric vehicles.

The company said it would begin retooling the plant as hoped later this year and some workers will remain during that process.

However, the company said the reduced workforce will be in place until EV production begins.

It has not been determined how many workers will be affected. Currently, the automaker employs 2,700 people at the Oakville plant.

The $1.8 million transformation of the plant was announced last year and will ultimately see Oakville produce EVs and the batteries used to operate them.

Ford says it is working with Unifor, the union that represents the workers, on the layoff plan.

The company stressed it is still committed to building electric vehicles in Canada.