By Terry Sovil from the May 2012 Edition
This article looks at the automotive industry and Information Technologies in Mexico. The United States is the main market for Mexican automotive exports. Mexico provides 11 of every 100 vehicles sold in the U.S.A. Automotive exports reached 1.85 million cars sold abroad in 2010 which represent a 52% increase over 2009. This puts Mexico in 4th place globally for auto exports.Mexico has everything required to become a key player in the world’s Information Technology (IT) markets.
The Automotive Industry
This industry is mature but growing per the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) and Business Monitor International. In 2010 the auto industry provided 3% of the gross domestic product and 14% of manufacturing production.
The French group, Organization of International Automotive Vehicle Producers, puts Mexico among the top ten global producers of autos, trucks, parts and components. Mexico is the tenth largest automobile producer and the sixth largest commercial vehicle producer in the world. In addition, the organization ranks Mexico as the leading vehicle producer in Latin America. 2010 saw a 45% increase over 2009 for auto parts; providing 60 billion dollars in income. The auto parts industry saw over 400 million dollars in investments making Mexico the leading auto parts supplier to the U.S.A.According to KPMG (international consulting and auditing), Mexico is the best positioned nation for auto parts manufacturing because of its favorable cost index.
Companies Established in Mexico
The top ten leading vehicle assembly companies in the world have assembly plants in Mexico. Mexico has 8 light vehicle producers, 13 heavy vehicle producers and almost 3,000 auto parts manufacturers. 345 of the auto parts producers are first level suppliers. The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association notes that 90 of the 100 leading auto parts companies in the world have production capabilities in Mexico.
Foreign Investment
The automotive industry generated 30 billion dollars in income and has contributed over 23% of Mexico’s exports which accounted for 6% of foreign investment. 2010 saw such multi-national companies as VW, Fiat, Jatco, Daimler, Pirelli and GM announcing investments of more than 4 billion dollars to manufacture complete vehicles, engines and transmissions in Mexico.
Auto Industry Recap
Mexico has almost a century of automotive experience starting in 1921. That year marked the first plant established in Mexico. Products manufactured here have positioned Mexico to be a base for the development and manufacture of vehicles and having parts made to the highest international standards.
The quality of manufacturing here has brought in several assembly companies to locate plants here. Several models of cars are produced exclusively in Mexican plants including the Ford Fusion, the Lincoln Zephyr MKZ and the Volkswagen Beetle.
In December 2010, 480,266 workers made up the Mexican automotive industry workforce.
Labor costs in Mexico are much lower than in other places in the world.
The IT and Software Services Industry
Mexico has increasingly seen vigorous growth rates in IT services. 2010 saw over 4 billion dollars estimated for IT services. The estimated market value for software was 2.259 billion dollars. IT services exported rose 18% to 3.75 billion dollars in 2009 with an estimated growth of
12% in 2010 to 4.1 billion dollars. The noted Gartner Group gave Mexico a very favorable rating in key areas such as government support, affordable costs and human capita.
Companies in Mexico
Mexico is home to over 2000 companies including some large multi-national groups such as IBM, Hewlett Packard and Fuji. There are also major consulting groups from India here including Tata, Wipro, Infosys, SAP and Patni.
Strengths of IT and Software Services
Mexico has created over 30 “IT clusters” in various states that group over 700 companies. The IT infrastructure is strongest in the large cities where residents enjoy high quality digital services while residents in more remote villages may not be able to make a phone call. The government recognizes the gap and has mandated expansion of telecom services. In addition the universities, private companies and the government have coordinated in developing 24 technology parks around the country. Mexican IT estimates there are close to 600,000 professional workers and 400 thousand software specialists working in the industry. In addition, over 65,000 new professionals graduate from the universities every year.
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Terry is a founding partner and scuba instructor for Aquatic Sports and Adventures (Deportes y Aventuras Acuáticas) in Manzanillo. A PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Master Instructor in his 36th year as a PADI Professional. He also holds 15 Specialty Instructor Course ratings. Terry held a US Coast Guard 50-Ton Masters (Captain’s) License. In his past corporate life, he worked in computers from 1973 to 2005 from a computer operator to a project manager for companies including GE Capital Fleet Services and Target. From 2005 to 2008, he developed and oversaw delivery of training to Target’s Loss Prevention (Asset Protection) employees on the West Coast, USA. He led a network of 80+ instructors, evaluated training, performed needs assessments and gathered feedback on the delivery of training, conducted training in Crisis Leadership and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention to Target executives. Independently, he has taught hundreds of hours of skills-based training in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid, SCUBA and sailing and managed a staff of Project Managers at LogicBay in the production of multi-media training and web sites in a fast-paced environment of artists, instructional designers, writers and developers, creating a variety of interactive training and support products for Fortune 1000 companies.
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