Day 3 Of How Small Business Owners in Canada Can Increase Production Amid U.S. Tariffs: Car Engines
Published on April 19, 2025
By Manmeet Kaur, Endefine – Best Digital Marketing Agency in Canada 2025
In previous article, we learned how Canadian luggage and handbag producers can take advantage of the 25% U.S. tariffs to boost output. Today, Day 2, we're examining another sector of importance: auto engine manufacturing. With U.S. tariffs since March 2025 and retaliatory tariffs by Canada on $29.8 billion in U.S. goods, owners of small Canadian auto parts companies—especially manufacturers of car engines—are paying higher prices and facing supply chain disruptions. Stellantis, for example, shut down its Windsor plant for two weeks, impacting 3,600 workers, as engine and part tariffs threaten to hike U.S. automobile prices by $3,000. Our view at Endefine is that these are challenges to grow wiser. Six strategies to boost Canadian automobile engine makers' production against U.S. tariffs are presented below.
The Ongoing Tariff Challenge for Car Engine Producers
The U.S. tariffs on Canadian autoparts, including car engines, are sending a ripple through the integrated North American supply chain. Autoparts often cross the border multiple times during production, paying tariffs every time, adding cost. Canada's retaliatory tariffs on U.S. autos and auto parts add to the pressure, while production halt announcements—like Stellantis' two-week Windsor shutdown affecting 3,600 workers—emphasize the necessity to adapt. Yet with global demand for auto parts and Canada's strategic position in the industry, small companies can change gears and expand. Following are six new strategies to accelerate production.
1. Tap Into Aftermarket Demand with Niche Engine Parts
The auto parts aftermarket, including engines, is a growing market as consumers choose low-cost repairs over new car buys in the wake of tariff-fueled price hikes.
What to Do?
Focus on manufacturing niche engine parts, like high-performance parts for vintage cars or heavy-duty engines for commercial trucks, that are less competitive.
SEO-optimize your site for aftermarket search phrases like "Canadian aftermarket car engines" or "performance engine parts Canada" to appeal to buyers.
Create targeted social media content, like Instagram Reels detailing how your engines enhance car performance, to attract car enthusiasts and repair shops.
Why It Works?
The aftermarket allows you to bypass big automakers and sell to a diverse customer base, increasing production through higher-margin, smaller orders.
2. Forge Strategic Relationships with Canadian Trucking Companies
Canadian trucking companies are expending more money due to tariffs charged on American-built trucks and parts, so they are searching for domestic suppliers of engines for maintenance and replacement.
What to Do?
Approach Canadian trucking companies with engines that are specifically made for heavy-duty trucks, emphasizing their durability and cost-effectiveness compared to imported U.S. options.
Utilize LinkedIn to interact with fleet managers, releasing case studies or reviews espousing the reliability of your engines within tough Canadian conditions.
Offer maintenance packages alongside your engines, establishing a repeated flow of revenue to account for production expansion.
Why It Works?
Locally available engines of consistent quality are what trucking operators need to bypass tariff fees, ensuring constant demand backing greater production.
3. Utilize Online Marketplaces to Reach International Buyers
Online platforms like Alibaba and Amazon Business can connect you with foreign buyers desperate for substitutes for U.S.-manufactured engines amidst an era of worldwide tariff uncertainty.
What to Do?
Have your engines posted on sites like Alibaba for markets like Mexico or Japan, where automakers are looking for tariff-free suppliers.
Maximize your listings with multilingual descriptions (Spanish, Japanese, etc.) and keywords such as "Canadian car engines tariff-free" to draw in international buyers.
Leverage Endefine's digital marketing capabilities to execute PPC campaigns on these sites, pushing traffic to your listings and boosting sales.
Why It Works?
Online marketplaces provide an inexpensive method of accessing international buyers, diversifying revenue and financing production growth without significant dependence on the U.S. market.
4. Invest in Sustainable Manufacturing to Attract Eco-Conscious Clients
Sustainability is ever more a prime concern in the auto industry, and manufacturers are seeking suppliers who can reduce environmental impact.
What to Do?
Adopt green manufacturing processes, such as powering your factory through renewable energy or recycling metal scraps from engine production.
Promote your sustainability efforts with a badge like "Eco-Friendly Canadian Engines" on your website and social media, targeting eco-conscious automakers.
Partner with Canadian EV startups, offering hybrid engine solutions that reduce emissions without reducing performance.
Why It Works?
Green programs lower long-term costs (e.g., energy conservation) and attract customers who prioritize environmentally responsible suppliers, supporting production growth through new contracts.
5. Create a B2B Content Marketing Strategy to Establish Authority
Establishing your brand as a knowledgeable expert in the car engine industry can attract more customers, especially Canadian automakers looking to avoid U.S. tariffs.
What to Do?
Create a series of posts on your website about managing tariffs, e.g., "How Canadian Engine Suppliers Can Save Automakers Money," using keywords such as "Canadian car engine supplier."
Publish whitepapers or case studies on LinkedIn explaining how your engines enhance vehicle performance, targeting automaker decision-makers.
Organize webinars on "The Future of Engine Manufacturing in Canada" and invite industry experts to establish credibility and generate leads.
Why It Works?
Content marketing establishes trust, leading to more orders from Canadian and foreign clients, which enables greater production.
6. Leverage Data to Stay Agile and Scale Appropriately
Tariffs and consumer attitudes are shifting rapidly. Real-time data enables you to modify manufacturing to align with demand in a timely way.
What to Do?
Track sales and site traffic weekly through metrics such as Google Analytics. If one type of engine (e.g., hybrid engines) is selling better than another, adjust manufacturing to prioritize what sells.
Monitor social media engagement to spot trends. If posts about “Canadian-made engines” get high engagement, double down on that messaging.
Use resources like Export Development Canada (EDC) to explore new markets and scale production strategically.
Why It Works?
Data-driven decisions ensure you’re producing what sells, minimizing waste and maximizing output in a volatile market.
Partner with Endefine to Thrive
Here at Endefine, we are committed to empowering Canadian businesses to succeed. As the 2025 best digital marketing firm in Canada, we offer content marketing, digital marketplace strategies, and data-driven growth knowledge to expand your car engine business. Let's tariff-proof your production together.
Ready to increase your engine production?
📩 Send us Message [Here] to start your strategy today.
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The Bottom Line
U.S. tariffs can present a challenge for Canada's auto engine manufacturers, but they can also present a chance to innovate. Target the aftermarket, align with trucking companies, ride digital marketplaces, go green, create your authority with content, and leverage data to scale up production and expand. Make your company a success story—connect with Endefine today!
