Guanajuato Leads the Way in Attracting FDI in the Automotive Cluster

Within the Bajío region, Guanajuato has led the way in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the auto parts industry, drawing in US$337 million during the first half of the year, according to a report by the National Auto Parts Industry Association (INA), based on data from the Ministry of Economy (SE).

Guanajuato's contribution has been highlighted because, as the state with the largest share of FDI in auto parts, this sector accounted for 82% of the US$411.1 million in total FDI the state received during that period.

Guanajuato accounted for 20.8% of the sector’s FDI received by the country, followed by Puebla (16.5%), Coahuila (13.7%), Chihuahua (10.4%), Jalisco (8.7%), Nuevo León (8.1%), State of Mexico (6.1%), San Luis Potosí (4.7%), Aguascalientes (4.6%), and Querétaro (2.6%), among other states.

By region, in the first half of the year, the Bajío region accounted for the majority of investment, followed by the North and the Center, according to the INA.

The INA found that return on investment is indeed beneficial for attracting productive projects; however, it has set itself the challenge of translating those investment flows into greater regional content, as well as into innovation, supplier development, technology, and higher-value-added jobs.