Meritor opens first wholly-owned plant in Mexico

QUERETARO, Mexico (March 9, 2000) — Meritor Automotive inaugurated its first wholly-owned Mexican Heavy Vehicle Systems assembly plant, which will supply Mexico-based commercial truck OEMs with heavy-duty components and systems, initially drive axles and drivelines.

Located in Queretaro, Mexico, the $3-million US Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Mexico S. A. de C.V. plant is Meritor’s second production facility in Queretaro and its fourth plant in Mexico. The 120,000-square-foot factory presently employs 40 people. Company officials said the new plant further cements Meritor’s commitment to the Mexican heavy-vehicle market.

Meritor is among the leading suppliers to the Mexican automotive industry, and it currently employs more than 1800 people in the country.

According to plant manager Jose Felipe Pelaez, the Queretaro facility provides local customers with just-in-time delivery and enhanced service, while its production flexibility enables the company to respond quickly to OEM customer requests, resulting from ratio modifications, line-sequence revisions, and other last-minute changes.

The new plant has the capability to expand its production to include other medium- and heavy-duty truck components, including front steer axles, trailer axles, foundation brakes, and complete braking systems, in addition to other components.