Bulletin 421 - Friday, May 22, 2009

Mexico, Distrito Federal,- Before a lack of leadership in Mexican Automotive Industry, Jose Muñoz, new President and CEO for Nissan Mexicana, - first in automobiles sales in Mexico - will try and have the sector present a common front before the Federal Government, to really incentivize the domestic market and save the industry. "The sector must close ranks; all the companies together must go after this encounter, to face a lack of leadership in the automotive industry. Nissan is offering its leadership to encourage dialogue and schedule a meeting with the government to present a win-win plan, where the government would receive more resources from taxes when sales by this industry are encouraged, by taking junk cars out of circulation and providing financing incentives", Mr. Muñoz pointed out. Mr. Muñoz also discussed incentives plans for the sale of new units which have proved successful, especially Germany's plan, which the United States copied; there have been other plans that have yielded good results, such as those implemented in France, Italy and, some time ago, in Spain.

Source: Al Volante

Mexico,- Around 38 multinational companies with subsidiaries in Mexico will invest this year US$6.3 billion and will create 27 thousand 300 direct and indirect jobs here, announced today the Global Enterprises Executive Council, Consejo Ejecutivo de Empresas Globales (CEEG). Mexico's President Felipe Calderon applauded the announcement made today in Los Pinos by Julio Armando de Quesada, CEEG's Chairman and said that this is "material proof of confidence in the Mexican economy". The Mexican President left it clear that before the economic, safety and sanitary challenges Mexico is facing "we not only remain on foot but are also moving forward, facing and overcoming each of such challenges".

Source: El Financiero

Seoul, South Korea,- LG Electronics Inc said last Thursday they are planning to close a mobile phones production plant in Mexico, after the Government eliminated a 15% duty on the import of cell phones. The plant, located in Mexicali, produces 200 thousand cell phones every month and employs 200 people, Judy Pae, LG's spokeswoman, said; she further said the plant will continue manufacturing LCD monitors and screens. Pae said that eliminating the duty means LG has no need to manufacture the phones in Mexico anymore.

Source: El Norte

Hermosillo, Sonora,- In spite of the international financial crisis and its impact on the automotive sector, Ford de Mexico keeps its US$3 billion investment plans in Mexico, its President and CEO, Eduardo Serrano Berry, affirmed. He also said that by the end of this year they will start the trial stage to reopen Cuautitlan Plant in the State of Mexico, where they will employ more than 600 workers. He cleared out that Ford de Mexico is planning to complete the investment announced in May 2008 for US$3 billion, because the country is highly strategic for the Corporation. "I am proud to say that Mexico is an essential part of the plan, and the investment announced continues without stopping", and reminded that Chihuahua Engines Plant is about to be finished, while in Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, reconversion works continue to start assembling Fiesta automobiles for all the world in March 2011.

Source: El Financiero

Ramoz Arizpe, Coahuila,- John Deere is investing US$100 million in the new Ramos Arizpe plant being built in Santa Maria Industrial Park, which will generate 560 jobs for Coahuila's Southeast Region. As informed by this company, manufacturer of tractors and agriculture equipment, a 50 thousand square meters (538,193 square feet) building is being built in Santa Maria Industrial Park at Ramos Arizpe; the works are expected to be completed by the end of September, when the trial stage is expected to start. In this new plant, John Deere will manufacture cutting tools for agriculture machines. This is the only "big" investment that will arrive this year to the Region.

Source: Vanguardia

Mexico city,- If the Mexican economy shows larger stabilization signs early next year a 5,500 square meters (59,200 square feet) expansion could start by then in Mexico City World Trade Center, declared Polo Hirschhorn, member of the board of HIR Expo International. In a press conference, Mr. Hirschhorn explained that the expansion considers building an auditorium with capacity for 3,800 people, which would be the second largest in Mexico City, only after Auditorio Nacional, and works would last around one year. He said that the investment for this expansion is still being estimated, while the executive project and the bank credit have already been approved.

Source: El Semanario

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua,- The computers manufacturer Pegatron will start next July the production of TV sets here Tony Tsai, Managing Director of the local plant, said that the units will be added to the production lines that are now manufacturing desktop computers. He further said that Ciudad Juarez was chosen to start this operation due to the advantages offered, such as location and experienced and qualified labor, factors that translate into costs savings and competitiveness. Mr. Tsai spoke about the ability and expertise of Juarez workers, which, he assured, will make it easier for the personnel to adapt to manufacturing a new product. Pegatron manufactures around 20 thousand desktop computers per month, i.e. 240 devices every year, most of them shipped to the United States.

Source: El Diario