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JAN.09.2O14 • UWINDSORLANCE.CA
A long ride, cont’d in Windsor with its assembly plant, head office, and the University of Windsor— Chrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) all in the city.
Chrysler/University of Windsor. Both Italian and Canadian students receive a dual degree and gain work experience at the ARDC facility.
The ARDC is at the forefront of automotive innovation for Canada with six road-test simulators and multiple laboratories for vehicle structure development, automotive lighting research, automotive coatings research, and more.
Canadian students also have an opportunity to work and study in Italy with FIAT during their second year of the Master’s program.
The centre, which opened in 1996, is a partnership between the University of Windsor and Chrysler Canada, the first partnership of its kind in the country. Tony Mancina, Head of Engineering at Chrysler Canada, said that the company and the university have a strong, mutually beneficial relationship to this day. “We have Co-op, Undergraduate, and Graduate students working on projects that are part of the long term research agenda for Chrysler with professors from the University of Windsor supporting the students. In addition we have had professors on sabbaticals at the ARDC working alongside our engineers to understand our engineering processes, so as to enhance their subject matter,” said Mancina. The ARDC is part of a joint international Master of Engineering program between FIAT/ Politechnico di Torino in Italy and
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There’s a reason why things look like they do today—things evolved. So, to go back in time and look at the history of the industry, it adds to the experience of going to the auto show.
“The unique relationship between Chrysler Canada and the University of Windsor benefits all parties,” said Mancina. “The students who participate in the program receive hands on experience they can apply to their future careers.” “Chrysler Canada benefits from a younger generation’s perspective, while employees who mentor and train the students are able to hone their own skills by teaching others,” he said. “The community benefits from a skilled student base of graduates with realworld experience who are ready for the local job market.” 2014 will be the 89th year that Chrysler Canada has been in Windsor. “While Windsor remains very strongly entrenched in automotive business, the city no longer holds the title of “automotive capital of Canada,” said Mancina. “Chrysler Canada is indeed the largest employer in the city, where its Head Office, Automotive Research and Development Centre and Windsor Assembly Plant are located.”
— MICKEYMOULDER,
VICE CHAIRMAN, CANADIANTRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
• photos by Travis Fauteux