• Agribusiness: Mexican agricultural services provider Phytosan inaugurated a new phytosanitary radiation plant in the northeastern state of San Luis Potosi following investment of US$12 million.  The facility, the only one of its kind in Mexico, will be used to treat fruits and vegetables for export to the United States.
• Automotive: Japanese automaker Honda plans to invest US$800 million to build a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Guanajuato.  The new factory, planned to begin production by 2014, will produce energy-efficient subcompact autos. Honda currently operates an automobile factory in the western state of Jalisco.
• Hospitality: U.S.-based hotelier La Quinta Inns & Suites announced plans to invest US$60 million to expand operations in Mexico over the next three years.  Projects are expected to include new hotels in business hubs such as Mexico City, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa and San Luís Potosí, among other locations.
• Automotive: Japanese automaker Honda will reactive investment plans at its manufacturing plant in the western state of Jalisco.  US$60 million in resources are earmarked to install equipment and technology needed to produce the company’s next model CR-V recreational vehicle.
• Automotive: U.S. auto parts maker TRW Automotive announced it will invest US$50 million to install a new manufacturing plant in the central Mexican state of Queretaro.  The new facility reportedly will produce anti-lock braking systems to supply Volkswagen Brazil.
• Mining: Mexican corporate group GFM has formed a joint venture between its heavy equipment subsidiary GFM Maquinaria and Singapore-based Singapore Technologies Kinetics to market mining equipment under the brand TRXBUILD.  The association plans to build a factory to produce equipment such as backhoes, tractors and off-road trucks in Mexico within five years through projected investment of US$20 million.
• Pharmaceutical: Mexican pharmaceuticals manufacturer Grupo Silanes will invest US$20 million to construct a new production facility in the city of Toluca, near Mexico City.  The plant will produce the company’s Anascorp antidote for scorpion stings, recently approved for sale in the United States by the U.S. FDA.
• Real Estate: U.S.-based real estate developer Bald Mountain Development is preparing to construct a luxury hotel and housing complex in the central Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende.  The US$250 million project may be followed by two similar developments elsewhere in the country, according to the company.
• Aviation: U.S. commercial air carrier Delta announced a US$65 million investment in Mexican carrier Aeromexico in exchange for stock and a seat on the Mexican airline’s board of directors.  The deal includes additional US$20 million investments from each company to expand joint maintenance and repair capabilities in Mexico.
• Steel: Mexican steel industry leader Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) announced US$493 million in new investment to conclude an ongoing production capacity expansion project.  The steel giant seeks to enhance capability to produce specialized steels for automotive, metal mechanic and other manufacturing industries.
• Retail: Mexico’s ANTAD national retailers’ association announced combined investment of US$3.6 billion by its members projected for 2011.  First half retail sales were up 10.3% in nominal terms and 3.8% for same-store sales this year, the group reported.
• Mining: Mexico’s mining industry chamber Camimex reported its members will invest US$848 million in exploration of new deposits this year.  The record sum is driven in part by surging demand for gold on world markets.
• Logistics: Germany-based courier DHL Express will open 24 new sales locations in Mexico in 2011 at a cost of approximately US$2.5 million, in addition to opening a new gateway site in Monterrey this year.  The expansion is part of a five-year US$125 million investment program for the company’s Mexico operations.
• Infrastructure: Mexico’s Communications and Transportation Ministry (SCT) announced it will issue a tender for road construction in the western state of Michoacan by the end of this year.  The contract package for construction and widening of highways in the state will have a projected value of approximately US$450 million.
• Energy: British oil and gas infrastructure services provider Petrofac announced plans to invest US$200 million in Mexico over the next two years.  Petrofac recently was awarded two contracts by state oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to increase output at mature oil production sites in Mexico.

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Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

• Water treatment:  Mexican sugar producer Grupo Azucarero México (GAM) revealed it will begin construction next month on a new waste water treatment plant.  GAM has invested US$35 million over the past four years in automation process technology, as well as a system for generating electricity through steam produced by burning cane bagasse.
• Logistics: Guanajuato’s Guanajuato Interior Port multimodal logistics center will enter a new phase of expansion in the coming months.  Approximately US$55 million in new investment will be carried out to expand existing infrastructure at the site, which includes Customs facilities, a free zone, ground and air cargo handling services, industrial yards and related operations.
• Automotive: German engine components maker Getrag Transmissions Manufacturing inaugurated a new production plant in the central city of Guanajuato.  The US$500 million facility will manufacture transmissions for the Ford Fiesta line being built at Ford’s Cuautitlan Izcalli plant outside Mexico City.
• Manufacturing: French digital media manufacturer Technicolor will begin making 3D Blu-ray discs for Warner Brothers at its Guadalajara plant this year.  The company is investing US$11.4 million in the plant to boost production capacity.
• Green building: Mexican developer Homex announced plans to develop four new housing complexes in north western Mexico based on the concept of Integrated Sustainable Urban Developments.  The first of these complexes will require investment of US$27 million and all will incorporate green building technologies.    
• Real estate development: Cancun’s new mega convention center Cancun Messe, currently under construction, plans to open to the public to host the Latin American Food Show in September.  The expo center, which seeks to become the largest in Latin America, will have cost a projected US$270 million once complete.
• Aerospace: Bell Helicopter inaugurated a new manufacturing plant in the northern city of Chihuahua this month.  The plant will produce parts for Bell’s model 429 helicopter.
• Water treatment: Leading tequila producer Herradura inaugurated a new US$6.5 million water treatment plant at its production facility in Amatitan, Jalisco.  Herradura also announced additional investment of US$5 million to expand production capacity at the plant.
• Electronics: IT and electronics giant IBM recently invested US$20 million in its manufacturing plant at El Salto, Jalisco, to support production of data storage equipment for export.  The company reiterated its commitment to maintain and expand its Mexico operations.
• Rail freight: Railrod operator Kansas City Southern de Mexico announced plans to invest US$80 million to develop a freight terminal in the western state of Michoacan.  The terminal is intended to serve freight coming through the port of Lazaro Cardenas on Michoacan’s Pacific coast.
• Entertainment: Cinema operator Cinemex will invest US$9 million to develop a luxury movie theater complex in a large upscale shopping center currently under construction in the south eastern state of Tabasco.  The site will include VIP and 3D facilities.
• Aerospace: Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier announced plans to add five new plants to its existing manufacturing infrastructure in Mexico, via investment of US$300 million.  A stalwart of Mexico’s thriving aerospace industry, Bombardier advised it is considering investing a further US$100 million to increase its rail equipment manufacturing capacity in Mexico.

Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

• Real Estate:  Mexican real estate developer Marhnos announced plans to build up to five office towers in Mexico City over the next five years.  The company is projecting investment of approximately US$1.5 billion in the projects, which will be carried out in alliance with New York-based developers Turner International.
• Apparel: Sports apparel and footwear maker Grupo Charly is manufacturing in Mexico again after an absence of six years.  The  Mexican company offshored the last of its domestic production to Asia in 2004, but began to move some manufacturing back home last year to improve delivery times.  They project ramping up Mexico production to 600,000 pairs of sports shoes over the next three years.
• Automotive: Nissan Mexicana has reported plans to invest US$600 million at its plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to manufacture a new model car.  The auto maker plans to build 50,000 units annually of the new model, which will include 75% components from domestic suppliers.
• IT: Mexico’s top telco Telmex announced it will significantly expand its Triara Data Center over the coming two years.  The US$100 million facility provides integrated hosting services, data storage, backup and connectivity solutions to domestic and international corporate clients as well as government agencies.
• Automotive: U.S. truck maker Navistar announced its Mexican subsidiary Navistar Mexico will increase production by 50% by the end of the current year.  The company’s US$250 million facility in Escobedo, Nuevo Leon is the largest truck and bus chassis manufacturing plant in Latin America.
• Poultry: U.S. poultry giant Tyson opened a new animal oil and protein processing plant in the state of Durango.  The US$1 million dollar facility is part of a projected US$16 million in investment in the company’s Mexico agriculture and food operations this year.
• Software: Indian IT consultants Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced plans to open a third software development center in the state of Jalisco.  Tata, which also operates offices in Mexico City, two software development centers in Guadalajara and one in Queretaro, is a key player in Jalisco’s burgeoning software industry.
• Logistics: Work is underway on major expansions at the port of Veracruz, Mexico’s key container terminal on the Gulf of Mexico.  The expansions will include a logistics center to the north of the port, improving accessibility, and new rail connections.
• Retail: Mexico’s leading retailers will invest approximately US$1.5 billion this year in new store openings and upgrades, according to the ANTAD retailers’ association.  Department stores Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro, convenience chain Oxxo and others announced plans to return to expansion this year after mostly suspending growth during recession-plagued 2009.
• Steel: Mexico’s national steel producers association Canacero announced projected investment in the sector of up to US$10 billion over the next five years.  A boost in production is planned to meet recovering demand on the world market anticipated to begin next year.
• Tourism: Resort operator Sunset World announced plans to invest US$26 million in remodeling and expansion of existing locations in the Riviera Maya area.  The company also reportedly intends to make additional investments to construct a large “eco-luxury” hotel in the same area.
• Lighting: Indian lighting products giant Havells plans to invest US$100 million to build or purchase a manufacturing plant in Mexico.  The company already produces lighting ballasts at a plant in the border city of Matamoros, Mexico.
• Tourism: Singapore-based resort developer Banyan Tree revealed plans to build two new locations in Mexico with investment of over US$200 million.  The company’s proposed plans include development of a luxury location in the Guadalupe Valley, Mexico’s leading wine producing region.