EXECUTIVE Q&A TEXT BY: NICK PATTERSON // PHOTO BY: ASH WRIGHT // PHOTOS COURTESY OF: APMA
As an advocate for Canada’s auto sector in the American South and everywhere else, Flavio Volpe has a job he was made for
A CAR GUY W
hen Flavio Volpe took the stage at the most recent Southern Automotive Conference, the small audience that heard him were treated to a funny, informative presentation
about how Canada relates to its more populous Southern cousin - particularly when it comes to making cars. The fact that Canada has five OEMS is just one of many aspects of Canada’s auto industry Volpe is proud of both as a native, and the president of the Automotive Parts
companies, Volpe was showing off three
a new vehicle right now. First, the Arrow.
vehicles built in Canada to demonstrate their technical prowess — and, by the
Q: Tell me about the zero-
way, announcing that his country is
emissions vehicle you announced
about to build a car uniquely their own
today - Project Arrow.
— the Arrow.
Flavio Volpe: There was a 1950s
Volpe took time to talk to Southern
fighter jet prototype built in Canada by
Automotive about why he and Canada
a company called Avro. It had better
have such a love for the automotive
capabilities than any of the Allies —
business, why they’re so interested in
NATO Allies or the Russians at the time
the Southern U.S. - Canada always has
— both in speed and maneuverability,
a delegation to the SAC and speakers on
avionics, everything else. The Canadian
the program - and why they want to build
government ultimately did not make
Manufacturers Association (APMA). His organization lobbies for parts makers and suppliers in Canada all over the world. That’s what brought him in January to the annual CES in Las Vegas. There among the highest of high tech 20 | Southern Automotive Alliance | WINTER 2020
I think that the South as a cluster of automotive assembly is going to will continue to grow and probably match the North in terms of units of production within the next ten years. So a very smart growth strategy for all of us is to invest in parts footprint in the South and supply Southern customers from their backyard.
