Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is considering blocking the importation of South Korean cars — namely those made by Hyundai and Kia — if the Asian country does not allow cars made in Canada easier access to its market. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is concerned that the current free-trade talks between Ottawa and Seoul heavily favor South Korea.
Current negotiations do not guarantee Canadian-made cars access to the South Korean market.
According to McGuinty, South Korea exported 114,000 vehicles to Canada in 2006, but imported fewer than 100 Canadian-made vehicles. Several domestic models are made in Canada, including the Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chrysler 300 , Dodge Charger as well as the upcoming Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro .
McGuinty also sent a message to Tata Motors that if the Indian automaker planned to sell its $2,500 Nano in Canada, it would have to be built in Ontario. Tata has yet to announce the sale of the Nano in any markets outside of India.
