Magna said the expansion of its Dortec facility in Newmarket, Ontario, will create 75 jobs and position its Magna Closures unit to take advantage of a growing trend to make more vehicle functions electronic.

Magna said the plant is expected to make electronic control modules for power closure and roof systems along with a less expensive, lighter-weight electronic side-door latch. The latch, which can be used in any type of car or truck, requires no cables, rods, or moving handles in the door, Magna said.

"We expect electronic-closure and latching technologies to be a game-changer for the industry over the next five years and they will eventually become the future mainstream design," Magna Closures President Frank Seguin said in a statement.

"With our expansion at Dortec we are well-positioned to capitalize on this as it occurs."

Magna Closures produces such parts and systems as power sliding doors and lift gates, and window and latch systems.

($1=$1.10 Canadian)

(Reporting by Susan Taylor; Editing by Peter Galloway)