MEX - Why Mexico is winning the auto jobs war - Foundry-Planet.com
Mexico is the auto industry darling, Canada is struggling to retain a manufacturing footprint, and the U. S. is a house divided with most of the new automotive investment and jobs headed south of the Mason-Dixon line. The three countries are a united trading block under the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, but they’re fierce rivals in the boardrooms where auto executives decide where to invest in the latest equipment and additional jobs. Of the vehicles built in North America last year, Mexico produced about 1 in 5, or double the rate from 2004. WardsAuto, which tracks production data, expects the rate to increase to 1 in 4 by 2020. “The U. S. South and Mexico are winning the... “Over half the capacity and 80 percent to 90 percent of investment dollars are going to the U. S. South or Mexico. The UAW union is keeping a close eye on the flood of automotive investment migrating to Mexico, UAW President Dennis Williams said at the union’s bargaining convention in March. The issue is especially critical for the UAW this year as it seeks product commitments from the Detroit Three (General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) in negotiating a new contract with the Detroit Three for about 140,000 U. S.... Source: www.foundry-planet.com
