BMW Considering Mexican Factory to Build Worldwide Models

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
8471 photos
43 videos
is considering following the lead of several automakers and opening a factory in Mexico, but it makes it clear that it will not make a final decision until it sees whether Mexico will enter into the free trade agreement that the United States is currently negotiating with Europe. 

BMW North America CEO Ludwig Willisch says that it has been in discussions with local Mexican governments but is holding its final decision. He did not say which governments or what vehicles it plans to build there. 

Willisch says that the key to the plan is the free trade agreement between the US and Europe because it would allow it to export cars from the Mexican factory to Europe with no import or export fees.

"It could be as long as 10 years from now," said Willisch.

BMW is currently building a $261 million factory in Santa Catarina, Brazil, that will build semi-knock down kits of its vehicles for the South American market. 

It opened a factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1994 and builds the X3BMW X3 Gen.2Germany, 2010 > present26 versions
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, X5BMW X5 Gen.3Germany, 2014 > present12 versions
52 photos
and X6BMW X6Germany, 2007 > 201324 versions
77 photos
4 videos
there. 

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
8213 photos
27 videos
, HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
2419 photos
10 videos
and MazdaMazdaJapan, 1920 > present80 models
2325 photos
7 videos
are currently building a new factories in Mexico, and VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
and NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
12 videos
already has factories there.

Source: Automotive News Europe