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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Automotive: German luxury automaker Audi, owned by Volkswagen, will build its first manufacturing plant in Mexico by 2016, the company announced.  The assembly facility, planned to produce sport utility vehicles, will cost an estimated US$2 billion. (Bloomberg, April 19, 2012)
  • Automotive: U.S. auto maker Ford will invest US$1.3 billion to expand capacity at the company’s production facility in the northern Mexico city of Hermosillo.  The resources are planned to boost production at the stamping and assembly plant for new Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ models for 2013. (Torque News, April 2, 2012)
  • Energy: U.S.-based solar technology company SolFocus will lead the development of a major new solar energy generation site in the northern Mexican state of Baja California.  The project, to be built in conjunction with Mexican real estate developer Grupo Musa and U.S. contractor Synergy Technologies, is projected to cost over US$1.5 billion and generate 450 Mw. (San Francisco Chronicle, March 29, 2012)
  • Biofuels: The Veracruz Bioenergies Institute (Inverbio) will invest US$2.3 million this year to produce sweet sorghum, sugar cane, jatropha, yucca and palm oil for use in the development of biofuels.  Inverbio is contributing to efforts in Mexico to lower the cost of biofuels for aviation use. (Mexican Business Web, April 9, 2012)
  • Aviation: Mexican airline startup AeroJal announced it will launch regional passenger service in the west and northwest of Mexico this year.  The company will invest US$30 million to begin direct flights from Guadalajara to regional centers in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León. (El Economista, April 16, 2012)
  • Food processing: Mexican baked goods multinational Grupo Bimbo announced it will undertake record investment of US$780 million this year.  The company, which has carried out a series of overseas acquisitions in recent years, plans to expand its production capacity and improve logistics infrastructure in its new markets. (Milenio, April 17, 2012)
  • Automotive: Mexico’s Grupo Alfa industrial group reported US$130 million in investment during the first quarter of 2012.  The outlays included substantial support for expansion and upgrades to the group’s auto parts manufacturing operations, led by subsidiary Nemak. (El Financiero, April 16, 2012)
  • Sports: Mexican sports club operator Grupo Sports World plans to open at least five new locations this year via projected investment of approximately US$10 million.  The company currently operates 20 upscale gyms in Mexico, concentrated principally around the Mexico City metropolitan area. (El Financiero, April 9, 2012)
  • Consumer goods: British-Dutch consumer goods multinational Unilever will invest US$500 million in Mexico by the end of 2015, Mexican President Felipe Calderón announced following the recent World Economic Forum for Latin America.  Plans include expansion of existing manufacturing capacity as well as the development of a new manufacturing plant. (Reuters, April 18, 2012)
  • Manufacturing: U.S. industrial gas producer Praxair will invest US$100 million to build a new manufacturing plant in the northern state of Coahuila.  The facility is planned to produce oxygen, nitrogen and argon for the steel, metal forming, glass and automotive industries in the region. (Reforma, April 19, 2012)
  • Automotive: Japanese-owned automotive accessory manufacturer Viam Manufacturing Inc. announced it will invest US$40 million to build a new production facility in the central state of Aguascalientes.  The plant is planned to produce floor mats for its principal client, Nissan, which earlier this year announced plans to build its third manufacturing plant in Mexico. (Vive Aguascalientes, April 20, 2012)
  • Biotechnology: Mexican pharmaceutical manufacturer Laboratorios Silanes announced plans to invest approximately US$11 – 17 million this year in research and development of products for biomedical applications.  The company produces biotechnological medications and vitamins and plans to begin producing advanced diagnostic systems in association with Spanish biotechnology firms Biotools and 2B BlackBio. (Mexican Business Web, April 22, 2012)
  • Aviation: Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA) will invest approximately US$44 million this year in infrastructure and security systems for its 13 airports, the company announced.  Resources are earmarked for areas such as concrete and asphalt paving, new access road construction and terminal remodeling. (Mexican Business Web, April 25, 2012)
  • Retail: Mexican supermarket and general merchandise retailer Grupo Chedraui is developing a major retailing complex in the Gulf state of Veracruz at a cost of approximately US$130 million.  The development, planned for inauguration in November 2012, will include a Chedraui store, a Liverpool department store, movie theaters and a marina, among other amenities. (Reforma, April 26, 2012)
  • Aviation: Canadian aviation simulation and training firm CAE Inc. inaugurated a new flight simulation and training center at the Toluca international airport near Mexico City.  The US$50 million facility includes full flight simulators for Learjet aircraft and the Bell 412 helicopter. (Vertical, April 26, 2012)