ZF opens state-of-the-art technology centre in Mexico

Global technology company ZF officially opened the campus that will house four corporate function hubs for North America and the company's first R&D centre in Mexico, on April 4, 2024.

The new building joins the advanced electronic components manufacturing plant that began production in 2023, thus completing the Monterrey campus – a strategic complex for the leading automotive technology company at a regional and global level. It is the first multi-functional and multi-divisional campus for ZF in Mexico.

Located in a 43,294 square metre area inside FINSA Guadalupe Industrial Park, ZF’s Monterrey campus is one of the most innovative and advanced of its kind in Mexico, allowing ZF to continue leading the development of cutting-edge technologies for the automotive industry.

Martin Fischer, President of ZF North America and member of the Board of Management, emphasized the relevance of the Monterrey campus. "This centre is of utmost importance to our company regionally and globally, as it will allow us to drive innovation and the development of new technologies, helping us stay at the forefront of the mobility industry. In addition, the hubs of corporate functions such as finance, IT and HR operations, which are also part of this campus, are extremely relevant to guarantee the operation and efficiency of the company, since they serve various regions," he said.

ZF bets big on Mexico
ZF has invested $200 million to create one of the most innovative and advanced complexes in the automotive sector in Mexico.

“This investment is a win-win. First, because one thing is certain, that every dollar, peso or euro invested in our state is multiplied, and second, because here they will work on global projects, confirming that Nuevo León has established itself as a new world hub for technology and electromobility," said Iván Rivas, secretary of economy of Nuevo Leon.

The ZF Electronic Systems Monterrey manufacturing plant produces smart cameras for Advanced Assisted Driving Systems (ADAS) and Integrated Brake Control systems, with capability for fully automated driving in passenger and light commercial vehicles.

The R&D Centre has 16 laboratories that can perform tests to prevent and correct product failures. Its state-of-the-art equipment simulates the real-world conditions a vehicle is exposed to in different environments, allowing engineers to gain accurate information about its behaviouar in various situations.

Mexico draws fresh investments from global auto industry
Mexico, which is now on the radar of global automotive majors, continues to draw considerable investment from both vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers. This year has already seen three major announcements.  

In January 2024, India’s Rane Madras inaugurated a greenfield facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This strategic move marks the company's foray into global markets. Rane Madras, which specialises in steering and suspension products along with light metal casting components, will cater to passenger vehicle applications.

In February, Posco International approved the construction of a second plant in Mexico. Plant 2 in Mexico will serve as an essential production base to supply 2.72 million motor cores for Hyundai Motor Group's Metaplant America, and to respond to the local production needs of North American customers.

March 2024 saw Yokohama Rubber Co announce plans to build a passenger car tyre plant in Mexico to strengthen its capacity to supply tyres to the North American market. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 5 million tyres, with planned capital investment totalling US$380 million.

In August 2023, Magna broke ground on a new facility, which marks the $17 million expansion of its lighting division in Querétaro, Mexico following multiple business awards in rear lighting from various automakers.