BAIC Ponders an Auto Plant in Mexico

BAIC Motor Corp. began selling Chinese-made cars in Mexico late last week. The company says it intends to eventually build a local assembly plant there.

Vice President Wei Juacheng tells Reuters that BAIC hopes to generate annual sales in Mexico of 5,000 cars by 2018. He did not indicate when the company will launch local production. But he does indicate the facility will be equipped to make electric vehicles as well as conventionally powered cars.

BAIC is marketing its vehicles in Mexico through local retailer Grupo Picacho. The Chinese company’s first two models are a sedan and small SUV, which will be joined by three more unspecified models before the end of 2016, according to Reuters.

The news service notes that BAIC is the only Chinese carmaker currently operating in the Mexican domestic market. China’s FAW exited Mexico in 2009.