A Brief History of Canadian Car Companies: From McLaughlin to Project Arrow

Canada may not have a household-name automaker today, but its history in the automobile industry is far richer than many realize. In the early 1900s, McLaughlin Motor Car Company in Oshawa began producing carriages before moving to automobiles powered by Buick engines. The company became McLaughlin-Buick and was eventually absorbed into General Motors of Canada in 1918. This merger set the foundation for Canada’s strong automotive manufacturing sector, which continues to produce millions of vehicles for major brands each year.

Around the same era, several ambitious Canadian automakers emerged. The Russell Motor Car Company, founded in Toronto in 1904, was one of the first to produce entirely Canadian-built cars. Known for their quality, Russell cars were often compared to European luxury vehicles. Meanwhile, Gray-Dort Motors, based in Chatham, Ontario, produced reliable mid-priced cars between 1915 and 1923. A fun bit of trivia: Gray-Dort was one of the first North American car companies to offer electric starters as standard equipment, making it much easier for drivers to start their cars without hand-cranking.

In the postwar years, Canadian subsidiaries of American automakers began creating brands specifically for the domestic market. Meteor and Monarch, introduced by Ford of Canada, catered to local tastes and filled pricing gaps between Ford and Mercury models. Similarly, General Motors of Canada launched the Acadian and Beaumont lines during the 1960s. These vehicles were mostly rebranded Pontiacs and Chevrolets, but they often carried unique trim and styling touches. Many collectors today seek out these Canada-only cars for their rarity and distinctive details.

Perhaps the most famous Canadian-made car is the Bricklin SV-1, produced in New Brunswick from 1974 to 1975. The SV-1, short for “Safety Vehicle One,” was the brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin and featured striking gull-wing doors and a built-in roll cage. Although plagued by production issues and high costs, the car has achieved cult status among enthusiasts. Only about 3,000 were ever built, making it a prized collector’s item today.

In the modern era, Canada has continued to experiment with homegrown vehicles, from the electric ZENN city car of the 2000s to niche manufacturers like Campagna Motors (makers of the T-Rex three-wheeler) and Felino with its cB7 supercar. Most recently, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) unveiled Project Arrow, a fully Canadian-designed electric concept car showcasing the nation’s engineering prowess and sustainable vision for the future. While Canada may not have a mainstream car brand on the roads today, its automotive story is one of innovation, craftsmanship, and the constant drive to move forward.