When did Chevrolet come to Canada?
Chevrolet arrived in Canada in 1918, when General Motors of Canada Limited began importing and selling Chevrolets that year.
Origins and entry into the Canadian market
The years that followed saw Chevrolet's integration with GM of Canada and the establishment of a dealer network that would grow through the 1920s and beyond.
Early milestones
The milestones below highlight Chevrolet's initial entry and early expansion in Canada.
- 1918 — General Motors of Canada Limited is formed and Chevrolet begins importing and selling cars in Canada.
- 1919 — A network of Chevrolet dealers is established across major Canadian markets, laying the groundwork for nationwide availability.
These early steps laid the groundwork for Chevrolet's long-running presence in Canada, a footprint that has evolved with GM's Canadian manufacturing and sales network into the present day.
Today in Canada
Today, Chevrolet remains a core General Motors brand in Canada, supported by a nationwide dealer network, service infrastructure, and a lineup that includes trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and cars. The brand's Canadian operations continue to be integrated into GM's broader Canadian footprint, reflecting decades of local manufacturing, marketing, and market adaptation.
Summary
Chevrolet first arrived in Canada in 1918, marking the start of a long and continuing relationship with Canadian drivers. From that entry to today, Chevrolet's presence in Canada has grown from a fledgling market entry to a durable, widely available automotive brand with enduring support and a rich history in Canadian automotive culture.
Why did American carmakers come to Canada?
Canada was in close proximity to Detroit — home of the Big Three automakers, Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Chrysler — and imposed a 35 per cent tariff on American imports, prompting Ford and other American automakers to establish branch plants in Canada to avoid them.
What was the Canadian version of the Chevy Nova?
1965 Acadian Canso
The 1965 Acadian Canso. The Canadian version of the Nova.
Did Chevy start in Canada?
In Ontario, Chevrolet's history began when McLaughlin acquired the Chevrolet Car Company of Canada in 1915 and started building Chevys in Oshawa, eventually merging it into General Motors of Canada in 1918.
When did GM move to Canada?
In 1915, Sam McLaughlin acquired the Chevrolet Car Company of Canada, which built Chevrolets in Oshawa with Chevrolet motors and McLaughlin bodies. In 1918, he merged his company with Chevrolet Canada under the name "General Motors of Canada Limited".
