2021 Automotive News Canada All-Stars

Scott Bell has a reputation for making things happen — fast.

As president of General Motors Canada since September 2019, his bridge-building with labour and strategic thinking has led to investments in two Canadian plants valued at up to $2.3 billion.

When GM committed to reviving the Oshawa Assembly Plant, east of Toronto, to build Chevrolet pickups, he oversaw the rapid-fire 12-month retooling. The conversion, which included the addition of a new body shop, was one of the fastest plant launches in company history, and restores nearly 1,800 jobs lost when the plant was partially shuttered in 2019.

Bell and Unifor also sped up contract negotiations at GM’s CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont., so the company could bid to produce the new EV600 electric commercial van there. Bell said at the time he triggered early talks to ensure “that opportunity [didn’t] pass us by.” CAMI will shift from producing the Chevy Equinox crossover to the EV600 next year.

Bell, 55, also pushed for a more inclusive workplace — half of new production hires at the Oshawa plant are women, according to GM.