Audi Breaking Ground on Mexican Factory in 2013

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has announced further plans for the Mexican factory that it confirmed in April. The factory in San José Chiapa in the Mexican state of Puebla will start construction in spring 2013. By early 2016, it will begin producing the Audi Q5Audi Q5 Gen.1Germany, 2008 > 201663 versions
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as its first model. 

“The location of Mexico provides us with an ideal basis from which to intensify our global growth,” said Rupert Stadler, the chair of Audi's management board.

The factory will cover 400 hectares, and the local government is improving the infrastructure around the factory including improved roads and railways. The first portion of the factory that will be completed will be the training center so that Audi can have skilled workers as soon as the factory is ready. 

“The government and the administration of our federal state are currently fulfilling all the necessary requirements for a timely start of construction on the selected site,” said Rafael Moreno Valle, governor of Puebla.

Audi's plan with the Mexican factory is that it can sell cars at lower prices in the large North American markets because there is a free trade agreement among Mexico, the US and Canada. If sales in the growing South American market continue to increase, it can also take advantage of them with lower freight costs.