St. Thomas, Ontario – Ontario’s auto manufacturing future is taking shape in St. Thomas, where the Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo SE has officially begun concrete pouring at its $7 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant — a milestone that marks the start of full-scale construction on what will be Canada’s largest EV battery facility.
With two Ontario-based companies — Magil Construction Canada Inc. and Steelcon — awarded major contracts, the project is rapidly moving forward on the 350-acre site. Once completed, the new PowerCo Canada facility is expected to create up to 3,000 direct jobs and support thousands more across Ontario’s EV supply chain.
“At a time of increasing global uncertainty, our government continues to create the conditions for businesses and workers to succeed,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We commend PowerCo for moving swiftly to bring this project to life and for recognizing the resilience of Ontario’s world-class workforce and advanced manufacturing leadership.”
Concrete is now being poured in St. Thomas as work speeds ahead on Volkswagen’s new EV battery plant, which will directly employ 3,000 Ontario workers once it’s up and running!
Take a look for yourself and find out more here: https://t.co/NYdDa9Lrxa pic.twitter.com/2oqDMb2WnB
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 28, 2025
A Global Milestone in the EV Transition
This facility will be PowerCo’s third and largest EV gigafactory worldwide, following its operations in Europe. The St. Thomas plant will bring advanced lithium-ion battery technology to North America, serving as a cornerstone for Volkswagen’s electrification strategy and a catalyst for Ontario’s growing clean technology sector.
“Today marks a big milestone for PowerCo Canada as we officially begin construction on our largest EV gigafactory,” said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE. “Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment while positioning Canada at the forefront of innovative battery production.”
The plant’s construction will involve:
-
500,000 sq. ft. of formwork,
-
32,500 cubic meters of concrete, and
-
4,850 tonnes of rebar,
representing one of the largest industrial construction projects in Ontario’s history.
Revitalizing Ontario’s Manufacturing Heartland
For St. Thomas, a city once home to major auto manufacturing facilities, the project marks a historic comeback. The PowerCo investment is already delivering tangible benefits through local job creation and infrastructure upgrades, providing a significant economic boost to the region.
“The momentum we’re seeing here in St. Thomas is nothing short of remarkable,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin—Middlesex—London. “This investment is driving real opportunity across our region by creating good jobs, building strong partnerships, and restoring pride in Ontario’s manufacturing roots.”
Joe Preston, Mayor of St. Thomas, added, “The excitement is palpable as we celebrate this monumental construction milestone. The gigafactory is already delivering on its promise of prosperity and strengthening our local economy.”
Ontario’s Auto Industry on the Global Stage
Over the past four years, Ontario has secured over $46 billion in new automotive and EV supply chain investments, connecting northern critical mineral resources with southern manufacturing hubs. The province’s auto sector — which employs over 100,000 people directly and supports hundreds of thousands more indirectly — is evolving into a global leader in EV battery and component production.
The PowerCo plant strengthens Ontario’s integrated EV ecosystem, from mining and refining in the North to battery production and final assembly in the South — a complete value chain unmatched anywhere else in North America.
Follow GTA Weekly on social media for more local business and economic news. #GTAWeekly #GTAToday
Leave a Reply