Magna International Inc, the leading global automotive supplier with 313 manufacturing operations and 84 product development, engineering and sales centres in 28 countries, has announced the start of construction at a new, state-of-the-art automotive exteriors manufacturing facility inQueretaro, Mexico. 

With an investment of approximatelyUS$135 million (Rs 852 crore), Magna plans to construct a 26,400-square-metre (285,000-square-foot) facility and expects to employ approximately 600 people within the first year. The facility will produce moulded and painted exterior parts including fascias and rocker panels for global automakers, and the launch of the plant is projected for the first quarter of 2016.

"We are pleased to establish operations inQueretaro, a growing region for the automotive manufacturing industry with a skilled workforce and professional business environment," saidGrahame Burrow, president of Magna Exteriors. "Our growth inMexicooffers opportunities for Magna to continue to align ourselves with the ongoing needs of our global customers."

Magna established its first facility inPuebla, Mexico, in 1991. With the establishment of this new facility inQueretaro, Magna will have 30 manufacturing facilities, one engineering & product development centre,