#mexico

Things have been changing for a few years already, and the future is not looking good for Canada.  Thanks to their lower labor rates and production costs, more and more car companies are looking to move their operations down to Mexico.

An article in Automotive News proposed that the Saab 9-4X crossover may be the world’s rarest new vehicle on sale. Although Saab had planned to sell between 15,000 and 20,000 examples globally this year (with half of sales conducted in the United States), a mere 194 have been sold through October in the United States.

We’ve all seen them. The “Imported from Detroit” ads that Chrysler is flooding the market with. Some people think it is a clever way to gain favor with Chrysler’s home audience, others simply do not like the ads themselves. Nomatter how you feel about them, one thing is clear – they are kind of misleading.

Local 551 of Chicago’s Ford Plant gave a resounding “no” to the new four-year labor contract. Local 551 represents about 6 percent of Ford’s United Auto Workers (UAW) employees and according to  secretary-treasurer Scott Houldieson of Local 551, the two-tier pay scale was one of the biggest reasons the plant’s workers voted against it.

As the European and U.S. suffer from an economy of alarming volatility, automakers are constantly seeking emerging markets to attain sustainable growth. Mazda, introducing its automobiles in Mexico only six years ago, have now established a new production facility, in joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation, in Salamanca, Mexico.

Fiat has asked Chrysler to boost Freemont output after European demand soars for the rebadged Dodge Journey. Last June, with the Freemonts introduction, Fiat hoped to sell 13,000 of the minivans this year, however the automaker has already collected 15,700 orders. Fiat planned to sell 33,000 Freemonts in 2012 and as a result, Fiat was promised 3,000 Freemonts a month from Chryslers plant in Toluca, Mexico. With the high demand for the minivan, Chrysler boosted production to 4,067 units in June.

According to a report by Canada’s Minister of Transport, Chuck Strahl, under the NAFTA agreement, used vehicles from Mexico that can be modified to meet Canadian safety and emission requirements, would be allowed to be brought in.

You can buy Infiniti products in Canada, Europe, China, Taiwan, Korea and parts of the Middle-East, and the brand is adding Mexico to its portfolio.

Last weekend, an episode of the popular BBC2 show Top Gear sparked controversy when comments made by the presenters caused upset in Mexico, including a formal complaint lodged by ambassador Eduardo Medina Mora, in which he described the comments from Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson as ‘xenophobic and humiliating.’

Top Gear, the BBC’s infamous car/entertainment show has gained a huge following world wide since it’s reincarnation in 2002.

Volkswagen broke ground on a new engine plant in Puebla, Mexico, which is expected to come online in 2013. The $550 million plant is expected to supply engines to vehicles built at Volkswagen facilities in Mexico and Chattanooga, Tennesse.

Those of us who live in societies where the rule of law is respected can go about our daily business without having to look over our shoulder. For the rest of the world, this luxury isn’t exactly available, so solutions must be devised to help people live in some semblance of peace and security.

Lamborghini is opening up its first official dealers in Mexico, with locations in Mexico City and Monterrey. With Mexico getting wealthier, thanks to both new industry ( the world’s richest man is now Mexican) and some more illicit entrepreneurs setting up shop, the market for a Lamborghini showroom is now present.

The official Twitter feed of the Los Angeles Auto Show has confirmed that the Saab 9-4X crossover will bow at the West Coast’s major auto show this November, hot on the heels of the brand’s flagship 9-5 sedan.

Ford‘s marketing campaign for the upcoming Fiesta compact has gone on for just over a year, and consumers are getting anxious about having to wait for the car to hit showrooms.