Dongfeng Motor Corp. plans to bring some of its electric vehicles to Canada, staging a public display in Montreal as it works through the certification process required to sell cars to Canadian consumers. The effort takes place against the backdrop of a limited low-tariff quota that Prime Minister Mark Carney negotiated earlier this year.
The company will show models at an event in the Old Port of Montreal on Tuesday, an early step intended to introduce Canadian buyers to Dongfeng's EV lineup. North World Industry, the distributor handling Dongfeng in Canada, said the company is actively pursuing regulatory clearance.
"We are working hard on that, and maybe next year we’ll be ready to introduce the first two models," said Julie Mazorra Fernández, director of North World Industry.
In 2024, the previous Canadian government imposed a 100% duty on Chinese-made electric vehicles in addition to an existing 6.1% tariff, a policy that forced Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) to alter its supply chain and effectively blocked entry by Chinese EV brands. In January, Prime Minister Carney reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping that removed the 100% surtax on up to 49,000 Chinese EVs for an initial one-year term. That measure was part of a reciprocal arrangement in which China lifted certain duties on some Canadian agricultural products.
Under the terms of the agreement, Canada will allow a limited number of Chinese-made electric vehicles to enter under the lower tariff rate during the initial period and plans to increase the quota gradually in subsequent years, according to the terms announced.
Dongfeng's Montreal presentation will include models such as the Vigo and the Nammi Box 01, part of an effort to familiarize local consumers with the brand before moving toward formal sales. Mazorra Fernández said the company is interested not only in bringing vehicles to Canada but also in expanding commercial ties with Canadian firms.
Longer-term manufacturing in Canada is a possibility Dongfeng is considering, the distributor said, while noting the company already operates joint ventures with Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA) and Nissan Motor Co. to produce vehicles in markets including Europe and South America.
Event details and commercial intent
The Montreal event will serve as a public introduction to Dongfeng models and a visible step in the automaker's effort to secure the regulatory approvals needed for sales. North World Industry is positioned to distribute Dongfeng vehicles should certification be granted.
Policy background
The temporary tariff relief reflects a bilateral agreement that ties access for a capped number of Chinese-made EVs into reciprocal tariff relief for some Canadian agricultural exports. The arrangement is initially limited to one year and subject to phased increases in the quota.
Corporate partnerships
Dongfeng's existing joint ventures with established automakers are cited as part of its international production footprint. The company has partnered with Stellantis and Nissan to manufacture cars in other regions, a model it could draw on in considering longer-term steps in Canada.