Ford to Begin Super Duty Production in Canada in 2026 Despite U.S. Tariff Risks

Ford moves ahead with Oakville Super Duty retooling project despite competitor pullbacks.

Ford plans 2026 Super Duty production start in Oakville amid 25% U.S. import tariffs.
Retooling continues at $3B Oakville site, with stamping plant construction nearly complete.
Oakville to build 80,000 trucks yearly, supporting Ford’s overcapacity at U.S. Super Duty plants.

Ford is continuing retooling work at its Oakville Assembly Complex near Toronto, with plans to begin producing Super Duty pickups in 2026, despite trade-related challenges that have led other automakers to delay or relocate Canadian manufacturing operations.

A company spokesperson confirmed the CDN $3-billion overhaul is proceeding, with production of the first trucks expected next year. The automaker did not provide a specific timeline for output but has maintained its current trajectory.

The retooling efforts set Ford apart from competitors facing similar trade pressures. Stellantis paused a retooling project at its Brampton Assembly Plant earlier this year and relocated its Jeep Compass program to the United States. General Motors announced plans to eliminate the third shift at its Oshawa Assembly Plant in 2025.

The plant’s approximately 3,200 hourly employees have largely been on layoff since Spring 2024, when production of the Ford Edge ended. Ford previously intended to build a three-row electric vehicle at Oakville but shifted focus in mid-2024 to the Super Duty pickup line. The company also builds the heavy-duty truck at its Kentucky and Ohio facilities but has been unable to meet demand with existing U.S. capacity.

According to AutoForecast Solutions, Super Duty production at Oakville is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026, reaching an annual volume of about 80,000 units. The Canadian output is intended to supplement Ford’s U.S. operations.

However, the 25% U.S. tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks remains a factor. Analyst Sam Fiorani said the tariff applies only to non-U.S. components, which he estimates to make up about half of the truck’s content. While the cost is a factor in Ford’s financial planning, it has not derailed the company’s plans.

The North American trade landscape could shift in 2026, when Canada, the United States, and Mexico are scheduled to renegotiate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A resolution before Oakville production begins could alter the tariff implications.

Initially, Ford will build gasoline and diesel Super Duty models in Oakville. The company has stated that the site is being retooled for a flexible, multienergy platform capable of accommodating future variants, including extended-range electric versions. Ford previously said the Oakville facility would support production of up to 100,000 vehicles annually and employ about 1,800 workers, both down from pre-pandemic staffing levels.