David Adams
David Adams reflects on a career shaped by the auto industry
When I was in high school, Gino Vannelli had a hit with a song called “The Wheels of Life.” I still like the song.
The first two lines go like this:
“The wheels of life are turning so much faster
The restless hands of time pass me by”
I can certainly relate to the title of the song and at least the first line when I reflect on my life and my career. Wheels have always been part of my life, both personally and professionally.
I became enchanted by the auto industry as a child because my dad worked in the industry, first in the finance department at Ford of Canada in Oakville and then as Director of Finance for American Motors in Brampton, when they were still around. No, their demise was not Dad’s fault.
As a result, by the time I was about eight, I could name every make and model of vehicle on the road — even at night from the shape of their taillights. Not a very useful skill, but I digress.
When I finished school, my first job was working for Stu Esplen and family at Leasemaster National, handling fleet leasing accounts. It really wasn’t my gig, but John saw something in me and kept me around in a sales administration role.
That was interesting for a while, but I eventually learned all I needed to know about the job and became bored. My dad picked up on this. He happened to be involved with the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association — the trade association for the North American manufacturers in Canada. He told me about a junior position they had available and suggested I submit my resume. I did, and I landed the job.
I stayed at the MVMA through its transition to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA) for 18 years.
In 2005, representatives from the board of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC), now the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC), recruited me to head up that association after my predecessor left.
Until June 1, I had the honour of serving as head of the organization for 21 years. In this day and age, I appreciate how rare it is to have careers of more than 15 years with not just one organization, but two.
I have had a ringside seat for the transition of the Canadian auto industry from one that largely operated behind relatively high tariff walls under the 1965 Auto Pact to the industry it is today, where it must be globally competitive to continue attracting investment.
The industry used to be able to rely on public healthcare and a discounted dollar, relative to the U.S. greenback, to secure at least some of the investment flowing into North America. That is certainly not the case anymore, especially with the punishing Section 232 tariffs President Trump has enacted.
In one year, Trump has completely disrupted an integrated North American auto industry that had been a well-oiled machine for the past 60 years. While tariffs and other measures are ostensibly designed to encourage investment in the United States, the tariff policy is actually making the U.S. automotive industry less competitive, less efficient and far more costly.
The July 1 decision by the United States not to extend USMCA/CUSMA for another 16-year term was not a surprise, but it was still short-sighted. The continued investment uncertainty does not just affect Canada and Mexico. It also affects the United States.
While North American free trade has been good for all three countries, some of the warnings Liberal Leader John Turner made during the 1988 election campaign about the dangers of free trade have, regrettably, come to fruition.
The wheels of life are turning so much faster.
That is certainly the case. When I first joined MVMA, there was one computer. Staff wrote notes and bulletins by hand and gave them to the administrative assistant, who typed them into the computer. They were then printed and mailed to members. There was no internet, no email, and the most progressive technology at the time was the fax machine.
Over my time in the industry, vehicle propulsion has transitioned from carburetion to fuel injection to electrification. The vehicle itself has changed from a mechanical machine to an electronic platform with wheels. That electronic platform has also enabled advanced technologies such as automated driving and connected vehicle systems.
As for the line from “The Wheels of Life” — “The restless hands of time pass me by” — I do not relate to that.
I have always worked to stay up to date on what is happening in the industry and within government, so I could be in the best possible position to advise the member companies.
That said, after 21 years, it is time for someone else with a fresh perspective and a new vision to lead the industry. This was the right time to leave.
Hopefully, in retirement, I will be able to keep my finger on the pulse of the industry I love so much.
As Gino refrained: “The wheels of life, the wheels of life.”
