Information collected from media reports over the past month:

• Automotive: German auto parts manufacturer Robert Bosch projected investment in its Mexico operations at US$78 million for 2011.  The resources are earmarked to support introduction of new technologies and preparation for the manufacture of new brake pad and battery products at the company’s 13 Mexico production locations. (El Informador, September 29, 2011)
• Aerospace: Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier announced it will invest US$50 million to outfit its Queretaro plant to produce the aft fuselage for its new generation of long range business jets.  Mexico is now producing major composite structures for the company’s Learjet 85, such as fuselage lay-up and subsystem installation, wiring harness fabrication and installation, wing assembly and horizontal and vertical stabilizer assemblies. (The Montreal Gazette, October 25, 2011)
• Recycling: Germany-based industrial services firm Ferrostaal AG announced plans to build a tire recycling plant in Mexico.  The facility will convert used vehicle tires into rubber granules for potential use in the manufacture of sports and recreation surfaces, soundproofing insulation or water hoses, among other uses.  The amount of investment in the new plant was not specified. (Ferrostaal, September 26, 2011)
• Mining: Minera Autlán, subsidiary of Mexican mining group Grupo Ferrominero (GFM), is projecting investment in its Mexico mining operations of up to US$300 million over the next five years.  GFM’s energy subsidiary GFM Energía also plans to build three hydroelectric plants and one wind power generating plant in the coming years. (Reforma, October 6, 2011)
• Steel: U.S.-based Steel Technologies announced plans to build a new steel processing facility in the northeastern state of Nuevo León.  The US$78 million plant is planned to provide steel cutting and surface treatment services for the region’s thriving automotive industry. (NAFTA Works, October 2011)
• Software: Microsoft Corp. inaugurated a new Microsoft Technology Center in Mexico City this month.  The center, the first of its kind in Latin America, will be used to train software developers and test advanced products.  Microsoft is projecting investment of over US$600 million in Mexico in the coming years. (Fox News Latino, October 5, 2011)
• Food processing: Swiss confectionary Barry Callebaut revealed plans to acquire a chocolate producing plant in Toluca, Mexico, from its strategic partner Grupo Turin.   The European chocolate maker plans to invest US$30 million over the next three years to boost production at its Mexico facilities. (El Universal, September 21, 2011)
• Telecommunications: The Mexican market for smart phones is on track to grow 78% in 2011, according to market researchers IDC.  Mexico is the second largest market in Latin America for the devices, with sales of over 7 million units projected for this year. (Mexican Business Web, October 7, 2011)
• Food processing: Mexican coffee processor CAFESCA inaugurated a new US$43 million freeze-drying plant in the southern state of Chiapas this month.  Mexico is among the world’s largest coffee producers, with Chiapas the country’s leading coffee producing state. (El Financiero, October 19, 2011)
• Aerospace: Mexico’s airline industry will require over 400 new passenger jets worth more than US$30 billion during the next 20 years, according to the 2010 – 2030 Global Market Forecast by Airbus.  Mexico is the European aircraft manufacturer’s second largest market in Latin America after Brazil, Airbus reported. (Reforma, October 28, 2011)
• Retail: Mexican corporate group FEMSA announced an expansion target of opening 3,000 new locations of its Oxxo convenience store format by the end of 2014.  The company currently operates over 9,000 Oxxo stores in Mexico. (El Financiero, October 18, 2011)
• Beverage: Freixenet Mexico, subsidiary of Spanish winemaker Freixenet, expanded its bottling plant in the central state of Queretaro through investment of US$1.4 million, the company revealed.  The upgrade doubled bottling capacity from 1,000 to 2,000 bottles of wine per hour. (Reforma, October 31, 2011)
• Aerospace: France-based Eurocopter announced plans to build a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Queretaro, home to Mexico’s largest aerospace cluster.  The US$100 million facility is planned to produce helicopter and aircraft components such as tail booms, vertical stabilizers and doors. (Corporate Jet Investor, October 27, 2011)

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• 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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• Aerospace: Mexican aerospace manufacturer Hydra Technologies closed the first sale of its Ehecatl unmanned aircraft to a foreign customer at the Paris Air Show this month.  Hydra’s export order by a Canadian buyer, the value of which was not revealed, includes six aircraft, supporting equipment and services.  The contract represents the first export order of completed aircraft designed and built by a Mexican company, a major step forward for the country’s burgeoning aerospace industry.
• Automotive: Japanese automaker Mazda at long last confirmed rumors that it will build a major new production facility in the central Mexican city of Salamanca, Guanajuato State.  The US$500 million facility, planned to produce next-generation engines and automobiles, is scheduled to open in 2013.
• Trade: Chinese trade promotion agency Chinamex announced plans to build a Dragon Mart shopping center in Cancun, Mexico, via initial investment of US$150 million.  The complex, which will offer exhibition space, importation facilities, retail and wholesale outlets and restaurants, is intended to promote exports by small and medium sized Chinese companies.
• Logistics: Mexican courier and logistics company Redpack inaugurated a new Operations Center in the western city of Guadalajara, Jalisco.  The US$6 million facility provides freight yards, warehousing, loading docks and office space to facilitate the company’s freight management for the western region.
• Automotive: Platinum Tool Technologies, a Canadian manufacturer of molds for the automotive industry, formally inaugurated its plant in the northern state of Coahuila following US$1.75 million in investment. The facility provides high quality repairs, maintenance and engineering changes for molds and tooling.
• Health care: A consortium of public and private institutions in Monterrey, Nuevo León, is projecting investment of US$400 million over the coming years to develop a health care cluster to be called “Monterrey City of Health”.  The project involves hospitals, laboratories, universities and research centers, and is intended to attract patients and health professionals from elsewhere in Mexico and around the world for advanced care and professional opportunities.
• Steel: South Korean steel maker Posco announced plans to invest US$300 million to build the second stage of a galvanized steel plant in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas.  The producer of steel for Mexico’s auto industry announced that the pace of expansion of its Mexico operations was among the fastest in its history.
• Cosmetics: Turkish cosmetics laboratory B’iota will invest US$30 million in an effort to enter the Mexican market for their skin care products.  The company is specifically targeting the segment of depilatory products, which expanded by a reported 76% in 2010.
• Logistics: U.S.-based operator of industrial distribution facilities Prologis plans to invest up to US$88 million in its recently inaugurated Ladero Intermodal Terminal & Industrial Park outside of Mexico City.  US$14 million of the resources were used to open the first phase of the facility.  Prologis became the world’s largest operator of its type this year through a merger with AMB Property Corporation.
• Tourism: Mexico’s first domestically owned and operated cruise ship line, Ocean Star Cruises, is investing US$100 million in the first phase of its service launch this year.  The company began offering routes along the country’s Pacific coast in April 2011 with calls at Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Manzanillo, Ixtapa and other locations.
• Energy: Spanish energy multinational Abengoa will build a new electricity generating plant in the northwestern state of Baja California Sur.  The US$91 million power plant is projected to come on line in 2013.
• Energy: Spanish solar panel manufacturer Siliken inaugurated a new US$27 million production plant in the northern city of Tijuana, near San Diego.  Siliken joins Kyocera and United Solar Systems in Tijuana’s solar manufacturing community.
• Mining: Canadian mining company Goldcorp will invest US$400 million to expand gold and silver operations at three of its mines in the northern state of Zacatecas.  Goldcorp’s aggressive growth in the area is a key part of robust activity currently taking place in the Mexican mining industry.

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

• Energy: U.S. energy giant General Electric inaugurated an advanced research center in the central Mexican state of Queretaro.  The US$20 million facility, located close to one of Mexico’s leading aerospace clusters, will contribute to the design of airplane turbines and power generation systems.
• Retail: Mexico’s leading retailer, Wal-Mart de Mexico, revealed plans to invest US$1.2 billion in Mexico in 2011.  The record-setting amount will help cover the opening of a projected 365 new retail locations across the company’s formats.
• Electronics: German electronics manufacturer Siemens is investing a combined US50 million in new assembly and testing infrastructure in the central state of Queretaro.  The facilities will produce equipment for high voltage systems as well as contribute to new product development.
• Manufacturing: Construction is underway on the fifth Mexico plant of Dutch lighting products manufacturer Philips.  The new facility, located in the northeastern city of Monterrey, is planned to produce lighting equipment for residential, industrial, commercial and municipal applications.
• Transport: Kansas City Southern railroad’s Mexico subsidiary announced plans to invest US$125 million in upgrades this year.  The 2011 resources, an increase over 2010, are earmarked for infrastructure development, railway network maintenance and the purchase of equipment and technology.
• Retail: Leading Mexican grocery and general merchandise chain Soriana will invest US$300 million to open new stores in 2011, the company announced.  Planned store openings include aggressive expansion of the chain’s downscale “Soriana Express” format.
• Food processing: Food and beverage giant Pepsico will invest US$40 million in Mexico over the next seven years to expand the cultivation of sunflower.  Oil from the plants will be used in the production of the company’s baked goods under the brands Sabritas, Gamesa and Quaker.
• Beverage: Coca Cola bottler KOF, subsidiary of the Mexican beverage conglomerate FEMSA, announced US$500 million in investments planned for Mexico in 2011.   The bottler posted strong earnings in 2010 and in evaluating further expansion into Central and South America in the near term.
• Autoparts: Japanese rubber maker Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co. inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in the central state of Guanajuato.  The US$10 million plant will produce rubber, plastic and resin parts as well as insulation and hoses for local auto makers.
• Mining: Fresnillo, a division of Mexican mining group Peñoles, plans to invest US$800 million in upcoming expansion and exploration.  US$250 million of the resources are earmarked for exploration in central Mexico, as Fresnillo seeks to become the world’s largest producer of silver.
• Food processing: Mexican food processing giant Grupo Herdez will open a new distribution center in the state of Mexico in 2011.  The US$80 million facility will become the company’s 10^th distribution center in the country, in addition to 10 production plants.
• Aviation: Mexican airline Aviacsa has invested US$40 million in preparation for its return to commercial passenger operations, following suspension of activities in 2009 due to financial problems.  Resources have been channeled into preparation of aircraft, outfitting of hangars, offices and maintenance facilities and personnel training, among other needs.
• Clean energy: The Mexico City Police Department (PGJDF) acquired a fleet  of 23 new electric-powered vehicles to replace gasoline-powered vehicles being taken out of circulation.  The electric cars are projected to save the agency approximately US$4,000 per month in gasoline costs.
• Hospitality: Some 19 hotel construction or remodeling projects will generate over US$190 million in investment in Mexico City this year, according to the Mexico City Hotel Owners Association.  Particular emphasis is being placed on boutique and express hotel formats at this time.
• Steel: Argentinian steel maker Ternium began construction on a major new production plant in the northeastern state of Nuevo León.  Plans call for US$2.3 billion in investment overall in the facilty, which will produce high quality steel for use by regional auto manufacturers.
• Cement: Swiss cement maker Grupo Holcim’s Mexico subsidiary Holcim Apasco inaugurated a new production facility in the northern state of Sonora this month.  The US$400 million facility includes cutting-edge technologies for renewable energy generation, waste recycling and overall mitigation of environmental impact.
• Aerospace: Federal and state governments will team up to invest US$50 million to build Mexico’s first aerospace testing laboratory in the central state of Queretaro.  The facility will allow manufacturers of the area’s booming aerospace sector to have their products tested locally with international validity rather than sending them to the United States for certification.
• Clean energy: Mexican beverage giant FEMSA will lead a group of investors in building a new wind power generation plant in the southern state of Oaxaca.  The US$90 million project planned to include 132 wind generators to produce capacity of 396 Mw.
• Steel: Mexican steel maker Grupo Villacero inaugurated a new steel service center and helical tubing plant in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, built at a cost of US$107 million.  The center is the first of four such facilities planned for construction by 2015.

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.

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

• Steel:  Mexico’s steel manufacturing industry chamber of commerce Canacero projected investments of US$10 billion over the next five years to significantly boost production in the sector.  Canacero estimates production will increase 13.5% this year over 2009, when output dropped significantly.
• Airports: The Mexican Ministry of Transport (SCT) announced plans for three new airports to be constructed in 2010, with investment of US$36 million.  The local airport developments are planned for La Pesca in the northeast and the tourist sites Creel in the north and Palenque in the south.
• Transport: Inter-city bus operator Grupo IAMSA reported it plans to add 300 new luxury buses to its fleet this year.  The US$100 million investment is slated to go primarily to Volvo for the new buses.
• Aerospace: French aerospace manufacturer Grupo Safran inaugurated two new plants in an aerospace park in the central state of Queretaro, site one of Mexico’s leading aerospace clusters.  The approximately US$150 million investment set up plants for Safran’s affiliates Messier-Dowty and Snecma to produce jet engine parts and undercarriages.
• Solar power: BP Solar, the solar technology subsidiary of Great Britain-based energy giant BP, announced plans to subcontract the assembly of solar modules with Jabil Circuit in Chihuahua, northern Mexico.  Plans call for producing modules with a combined capacity of 45 MW, with the possibility for expansion as demand dictates.
• Retail: Mexican low-priced department store chain Coppel announced aggressive expansion plans, including forays into the Brizilian and Argentinian markets.  The program includes investment of approximately US$120 million and the opening of 100 new stores, principally in southern Mexico.
• Automotive: Japanese automaker Nissan announced it will begin producing its new model of the Micra compact automobile at the company’s plant in Auguascalientes, Mexico.
• Food processing: Mexican processed dairy products maker Chilchota reported plans to return to the retail milk market, which it had exited in 2000.  Chilchota will invest US$10 million to launch milk presentations for supermarket sale, despite heavy competition from market leaders Lala, Nestle and Alpura.
• Real estate: Spanish real estate developer Grupo Lar announced plans to reactivate stalled projects and launch new developments in Mexico in 2010.  The company will invest some US$40 million, principally in residential developments.
• Rail transport: Mexican railroad operator Ferrocarril del Valle de México (Ferrovalle) announced plans to invest approximately US$12 million this year in infrastructure and equipment upgrades.  The company is projecting an increase in container freight in 2010.
• Retail: Leading Mexican retailer Soriana revealed plans to invest US$200 million to open 42 stores under its new “Soriana Express” format.  The new format targets middle and lower middle class consumers in locations with populations of under 50,000.
• Retail: Leading office supplies retailer Office Depot announced US$60 million in upcoming investment, including the opening of 10 new stores in Mexico.  The chain opened seven stores in Mexico in 2009 despite the extremely depressed economy.
• Water management: The Mexican government announced upcoming tenders for water management infrastructure projects worth an estimated US$2.6 billion.  The government is seeking foreign investment for the projects which include aqueducts, water treatment facilities and desalinization plants, among others.
• Aviation: Mexican domestic airline Interjet announced plans to invest US$50 million to expand its MRO facilities at its base at the Toluca airport.  Since launching passenger service in December 2005, Interjet has grown to become Mexico’s fourth largest airline.  Interjet provides aircraft maintenance services to airplane leasing companies.
• Medical: Centro Medico ABC, one of Mexico´s leading private hospitals, will construct a new Neurosciences and Orthopedics Center in the upscale Santa Fe zone of Mexico City.  The announced US$16 million in investment in the project will include design services and acquisition of advanced technology clinical equipment, among other outlays.
• Industrial gas: U.S. industrial gases producer Praxair announced planned investment in Mexico of US$150 million in 2010.  Projects include a new air separation plant in Monterrey and upgrades to plants in the states of Hidalgo, Queretaro and Tamaulipas.
• Aerospace: Mexican industrial group Grupo Kuo, best known for its Herdez brand of processed foods, has announced it will enter the aerospace manufacturing industry this year.  The group, which also manufactures chemicals and autoparts, is in the process of obtaining SAE AS 9100B certification and hopes to begin manufacturing landing gear components by the end of this year.
• Logistics: The Queretaro Intermodal Terminal is projecting investment of up to US$100 million this year for expansion of land area and infrastructure.  The planned upgrades include construction of a new terminal for handling refrigerated cargo.