ANC Podcast Replay | The APMA’s Flavio Volpe on the need for the Gordie Howe bridge
About this episode
Revisiting a crucial conversation with Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association President Flavio Volpe, the discussion explores the immense logistical and economic significance of the upcoming Gordie Howe International Bridge. Volpe details how the new span between Windsor and Detroit will resolve decades of costly bottlenecks, secure the highly integrated North American automotive supply chain, and prevent devastating disruptions like the 2022 Ambassador Bridge blockade. The conversation also touches on the political history behind the bridge's funding and how it positions the region to compete globally.
In this replay of the May 22, 2026 Automotive News Canada Podcast, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe talks about the need for the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open. It’s a key link in the North American automotive supply chain.
Gordie Howe International Bridge
"Back in May, he spoke to me about the need for the Gordy Howe International Bridge to open, connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit. The new span is a key link in the North American automotive supply chain."
This is a massive new bridge being built between Canada and Detroit. It is designed to make it much faster and easier for trucks carrying car parts and other goods to cross the border without getting stuck in traffic.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a major cable-stayed border crossing under construction to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. Designed to relieve severe congestion at the aging Ambassador Bridge, it is a critical infrastructure link for the highly integrated North American automotive supply chain.
Flavio Volpe
"Today, we'll replay my conversation with Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association President Flavio Volpe."
Flavio Volpe is the head of an organization that represents Canadian companies making car parts. He helps these companies talk to governments and make sure trade deals benefit the automotive industry.
Flavio Volpe is the President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) of Canada. He is a prominent spokesperson and advocate for the Canadian automotive supply chain, frequently representing the industry in trade negotiations like the USMCA.
Matty Moroun
"Well, look, if you want to send goods, you got to go over at the time Matty Maroon's Bridge. It's capacity constrained, but it's also constrained by someone in charge of what he wants, when he wants."
Matty Moroun was a wealthy businessman who owned the Ambassador Bridge, which was the only main bridge connecting Detroit and Canada for decades. He fought hard against the government building a second bridge because it would end his highly profitable monopoly.
Manuel "Matty" Moroun (1927–2020) was an American billionaire businessman best known for owning the Ambassador Bridge, the crucial and historically sole commercial border crossing between Detroit and Windsor. Moroun famously spent years fighting legal and political battles to block the construction of the publicly owned Gordie Howe International Bridge to protect his private monopoly.
Ambassador Bridge
"Certainly fought by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge and the Maroon family now, like any other private business would want to defend its spot there."
The Ambassador Bridge is a famous, busy bridge that connects Detroit and Canada. It carries a massive portion of the trade between the two countries, especially parts used to build cars.
The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume, carrying more than 25% of all merchandise trade between the United States and Canada, particularly automotive components.
just-in-time delivery
"And how does that change in terms of monetary savings just in time delivery? Because we know that's how the industry operates."
Just-in-time delivery is a system where car parts arrive at the factory right as they are about to be put onto a vehicle. This saves money on storage, but if a delivery truck gets stuck at the border, the entire car factory can be forced to shut down.
Just-in-time (JIT) delivery is an inventory management strategy where materials and parts are scheduled to arrive at the factory assembly line exactly when they are needed, rather than being stored in advance. This minimizes warehousing costs but makes the automotive supply chain highly vulnerable to border delays or transport bottlenecks.
USMCA
"Politics aside, I think we're going to get peace on the USMCA front. I think we're going to see volumes pick back up."
The USMCA is a trade deal between the US, Canada, and Mexico that replaced the old NAFTA agreement. It sets rules on how much of a car must be built in North America to avoid paying extra taxes when crossing borders.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a free trade agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020. For the automotive sector, it introduced stricter rules of origin, requiring 75% of a vehicle's content to be made in North America to qualify for zero tariffs, alongside labor value content requirements.
Ford Oakville Assembly
"You know, outside my window here, I could see the Ford Oakville plant. That's going to be online later this year..."
This is a large Ford factory located in Ontario, Canada. It has built popular SUVs for years and is a key hub for Canadian automotive manufacturing.
The Ford Oakville Assembly Complex is a major automobile manufacturing plant owned by Ford Motor Company in Oakville, Ontario. Historically producing vehicles like the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus, the facility has been central to discussions regarding Ford's transition toward electric and hybrid vehicle production in Canada.
Hyundai Tucson
"But I spent maybe the next six months apologizing for a bunch of idiots with hockey sticks and Hyundai Tucson who caused a wreaked havoc because they understood."
The Hyundai Tucson is a popular, family-friendly compact SUV. It is a common sight on roads worldwide, known for offering good value, modern tech, and a comfortable ride.
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV that has served as a cornerstone of the South Korean automaker's global lineup since its introduction in 2004. It is highly regarded for helping transition Hyundai from a budget-oriented brand to a mainstream design and technology leader.
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