Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

  • Beverage:  Mexican beverage giant and retailer FEMSA announced plans for US$750 worth of investment this year.  The lion’s share of the funds will go toward upgrades and expansions of bottling plants, while the remainder will support the company’s Oxxo chain of convenience stores.
  • Automotive:  Chinese autoparts maker Minth opened a manufacturing plant in the northern state of Aguascalientes.  The plant, representing a total investment of US$16 million, is planned to supply molding and interior components to Nissan, Ford, Chrysler and Fiat plants in Mexico.
  • Mining: Mining companies operating in Mexico will invest a combined US$13.8 billion through 2012, according to the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex).  The chamber projected that expansions and upgrades of operations in mining zones will contribute toward improvements in roads, electrification, potable water and other basic infrastructure in the areas.
  • Automotive: Industry sources reported that Chrysler and Fiat plan to jointly produce a new model of SUV at the companies’ plant in Toluca, State of Mexico.  The model would join two other new compact models reported planned by Fiat for production at the Toluca plant.
  • Automotive: German autoparts manufacturer Continental projected it will invest US$10 – 12 million this year, principally in equipment and software.  Continental is anticipating sales growth of 20% in 2010 as the automotive industry recovers from last year’s downturn.
  • Electronics: Chipmaker Intel announced investment plans in the area of US$200 million over the next three years in support of its Guadalajara operations.  Planned projects include expansion of the company’s Design Center, the creation of a children’s technology museum and a center to promote relationships with small and medium sized Mexican firms.
  • Renewable energy: The Inter-American Development Bank announced financing for four new wind farms for the generation of electricity to begun in 2012.  Total investment in the projects is projected at US$5 billion.