General Motors of Canada Ltd. is expected to announce 1000 new jobs at GM’s engineering centre in Oshawa on Friday.

GM’s engineering centre has received a mandate to help develop technology related to driverless and connected cars.

There are reports the new jobs would probably be spread across a number of research facilities, including GM’s new office in Waterloo. Some could also be located within GM’s newly acquired property in Toronto’s east end.

The auto industry is in a race to attract new consumers with enhanced safety features and also to meet government mandated fuel efficiency standards.

Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Kathleen Wynne are expected to be at Friday’s announcement.