Mexico

On April 18, it was announced that the Mexican government will not grant incentives to Chinese car manufacturers due to pressure from the United States.

Some of the incentives that the Mexican government granted in the past were low-cost public land and lower taxes.

It is estimated that the pressure from the United States comes from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) with the purpose of keeping Chinese automakers out of the North American free trade zone and therefore, preventing them from reach their market without paying the 27.5% tariff.

“The treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) was not intended to provide a back door to China and others who may be seeking access to our market without paying tariffs,” commented the USTR office.

No officials from the Mexican government have declared anything about this matter yet.

(Multiple sources on April 18, 2024)

It was announced that Yokohama Rubber laid the foundation stone for its new tire manufacturing plant in Coahuila, Mexico.

The company's investment is USD 380 million for the construction of its plant, which is expected to generate more than 1,000 direct jobs and begin production in 2027.

It will have an area of 610,000 square meters in the Alianza industrial park, Saltillo and includes space for future expansions. 

(Cluster Industrial on April 15, 2024)

On April 11, it was announced that the Chinese company UTAS-NOVA Automotive Lighting will invest MXN 600 million to open a new plant in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes.

This plant will create around 220 direct jobs and will be dedicated to the manufacturing of exterior lighting components for vehicles such as headlights, turn signal lights, fog lights, side lighting, brake lights, integrated cameras, and license plate lights, among others.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the plant will happen in September 2024 and is expected to be functional by 2025. It will be in the Vesta industrial park and currently serves OEMS such as JAC, BAIC, SAIC, GM, GAC and Stellantis.

(Cluster industrial on April 11, 2024)