Ford CEO Jim Farley has long been concerned about the arrival of Chinese EVs on American soil, models that he says are the automaker’s chief rivals now – comments echoed by company chairman Bill Ford as well. In that particular market, The Blue Oval has already faced its fair share of challenges, as the Ford Mustang Mach-E has thus far struggled to find footing in a highly competitive segment. That’s precisely why FoMoCo is working to lower the cost of its own EVs and has been secretly developing a cheaper model and platform for years now, with that project being led by a former Tesla exec. Turns out, Ford’s concern over a Chinese EV invasion in the U.S. may very well be warranted, as BYD – that country’s largest all-electric vehicle maker – is currently eyeing Mexico for its North American expansion, according to Nikkei Asia.
According to this new report, BYD is apparently eyeing Mexico as the site of its future North American plant, which could be used as an export hub for the U.S. automotive market. According to Zhou Zou, manager of BYD Mexico, that particular market is open and eager to provide a home for such a facility, and added that Mexico is a “key market with vast potential.”
It’s unclear where, exactly, BYD might be looking to build a plant in Mexico, but sources indicate that the most likely areas would be in the northern state of Nuevo Leon and the Bajio region in central Mexico, or perhaps the Yucatan Peninsula. BYD is already planning on building additional production plants in Brazil, Hungary, and Thailand in the coming years as well. The company has already launched a feasibility study for its ambitions in Mexico, and is negotiating with local officials on terms.
The fact that BYD wants to open a plant in Mexico is notable given its lower export costs for both the U.S. and Canada, as well as the fact that Mexican-assembled EVs currently qualify for clean energy tax credits – which could make China’s already-affordable EVs even more so when they inevitably reach American soil.
We’ll have more on BYD and all of Ford’s Chinese competitors soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
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