New Auto Plants On The Horizon

Ford Confirms Intent to Strengthen Its Manufacturing Presence in Mexico
Ford Motor Company today confirmed intent to invest in and strengthen its manufacturing presence in Mexico as part of the company’s North American Way Forward plan.

The plan includes upgrades of Ford of Mexico’s two existing assembly plants, as well as its engine plant.

The investment announced today does not include Ford’s plan to build a new low-cost manufacturing facility in North America. The intention to build such a facility was announced in January as part of the company’s Way Forward plan.

Honda Considering Another Manufacturing Plant In India
Japanese auto major Honda has planned big investments for the Indian market where they are soon going to launch a new Honda Civic model in the coming months.

Honda Civic is scheduled for launch on July 4. The company is also planning to set up a Greenfield car-making facility in another state to enhance its production capabilities for further growth.

Honda is rumored to be studying various locations in the South and West India region for a new plant.

Tennessee On Toyota's 'Short List' According To Governor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee is on a ''relatively short list'' of sites in different U.S. states where Toyota Motor Corp. is looking to build an eighth North American vehicle assembly plant, Gov. Phil Bredesen said in a recent newspaper interview.

Bredesen spokeswoman Lydia Lenker confirmed yesterday that the governor told The Wall Street Journal that Toyota was considering two sites in Tennessee.

Toyota has said publicly it is scouting a site to build another North American plant, but has not disclosed specifics about its search.

Bredesen has acknowledged in the past that the state was trying to convince Toyota to build its plant in Tennessee.

Toyota will open a truck plant in San Antonio this year and a plant in Woodstock, Ontario, in 2007. The company also is scouting sites for an engine plant.

He has said he's optimistic about landing a Toyota plant because of the state's success in getting companies such as Nissan Motor Co. and International Paper Co. to relocate their headquarters to Tennessee.

Bredesen said he's not sure when Toyota will make a decision, but believes one of the two sites he is offering has a good chance.