BMW Group Opens Plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by bjcarls

But the majority don’t want to pay an additional 10% ; )
BMW doesn’t want to open in a heavy union country.

Originally Posted by bjcarls

But the majority don't want to pay an additional 10% ; )
BMW doesn't want to open in a heavy union country.

Labour costs are only a small portion of total car price due to automation. Honda, Lexus and Toyota all have non union plants in Canada and Germany is very pro union

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by Fitzy4GC

Pretty happy I have my German made M340 already. 😳

Same here!!

[nik14]

What if you want to do a European Delivery of a 3 in a couple years? Could you get a German made one that way? Or will that no longer be possible because US 3's will exclusively be sourced from Mexico?

Audi assembles its Q5s for the US market in Mexico though the engine comes from Germany. So there are a lot of Mexican assembled premium German brand vehicles in the US already.

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

There is a difference and it’s in the details. My f85 had a crooked windshield roadside service sticker. Annoying. Especially on a 100k truck. It only takes an extra second to make sure it’s marginally straight. Would not happen in Germany. A robot does not fuck that up. Maybe it’s the cheap liquor is SC (I kid I kid).

All of my Mexican VWs had turn signals (mirrors) that were semi faulty and loud under dash relays that liked to click like a switchboard. Lots of the plastics (rear view mirrors especially) are produced in Mexico and they felt brittle and cheap. All of his means nothing; mass produced vehicles just have more issues since they’re, well, mass produced.

Real ///M cars need to be produced in Germany. Forget that they cost 5x more it’s just the way it should be. My f80 has an odd front left clunk and f90 has a random dash gremlin but all the stickers are neat and straight!!!!

Isn't the M2 slated to be manufactured in Mexico in the near future??

[minn19]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

There is a difference and it’s in the details. My f85 had a crooked windshield roadside service sticker. Annoying. Especially on a 100k truck. It only takes an extra second to make sure it’s marginally straight. Would not happen in Germany. A robot does not fuck that up. Maybe it’s the cheap liquor is SC (I kid I kid).

All of my Mexican VWs had turn signals (mirrors) that were semi faulty and loud under dash relays that liked to click like a switchboard. Lots of the plastics (rear view mirrors especially) are produced in Mexico and they felt brittle and cheap. All of his means nothing; mass produced vehicles just have more issues since they’re, well, mass produced.

Real ///M cars need to be produced in Germany. Forget that they cost 5x more it’s just the way it should be. My f80 has an odd front left clunk and f90 has a random dash gremlin but all the stickers are neat and straight!!!!

A sticker is crooked, my gawd the horror!?!

No German would put a sticker on crooked ever.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by BigSky702

Isn't the M2 slated to be manufactured in Mexico in the near future??

It's not a real M car. Unless you are talking about the M2C.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

" The new location in Mexico is another building block in this growth strategy. The country is a member of the NAFTA free-trade area with Canada and the United States. It also has a large number of free-trade agreements, including with the European Union and MERCOSUR, which make it easier to export cars and import supplied parts. "


LOL at this ad copy. Where is NAFTA? the US isn't a part of NAFTA right now.

This plant opening is just in time for Tariffs.

If they stay in place. .. BMW will really be unhappy, and so will prospective BMW buyers.

Build quality won't matter when the price is unreasonable.

Right because the planning of this plant just started a couple of weeks ago and tariffs will be in place forever.

[JTO24]

Originally Posted by minn19

It's not a real M car. Unless you are talking about the M2C.

TRIGGERED!

[trey100]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

For those who say this is done because of cheap labor: watch the video, count the ratio of workers/robots.

The USMC trade deal forces Mexico to increase the salary of workers to be more in line with USA and Canada. As a result, this is less of an issue now. That, in my opinion, was the greatest accomplishment of the USMC for the USA (and Mexican workers)

[LemonOne]

Look what Trump has done to Bimmerpost members.
Lol @ comments

[AD18]

Hope they upgraded their paint system so they send out less brand new cars with horrific orange peel

[phillyd2]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Mexico only bought 25,000 Bmw, Yet they sold 45,000 in Canada with a much smaller population. They should build them where they are sold

And that’s the insanity of nafta.

How were sold in the US?

[phillyd2]

Originally Posted by trey100

The USMC trade deal forces Mexico to increase the salary of workers to be more in line with USA and Canada. As a result, this is less of an issue now. That, in my opinion, was the greatest accomplishment of the USMC for the USA (and Mexican workers)

The reality is that it will change nothing, as evidenced by no major factory leaving Mexico for the US.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by phillyd2

The reality is that it will change nothing, as evidenced by no major factory leaving Mexico for the US.

The cost to just shut down a factory and rebuild one in the US wouldn't have a payback obviously. The future construction is where the intent lies (in addition to raising the standard of living). 2,500 employees at that location according to the article.

All that being said I am sure the product will be very similar, at least in time. But to me certain purchases, like a car, are based on more factors. I like my Italian food from Italy, and my German cars from Germany. I like that regions have identities that they are known for, and part of paying that premium in purchase price is folded into that. I'm not saying it would stop me from purchasing the next M3 if I fall in love with it, but doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by trey100

The USMC trade deal forces Mexico to increase the salary of workers to be more in line with USA and Canada. As a result, this is less of an issue now. That, in my opinion, was the greatest accomplishment of the USMC for the USA (and Mexican workers)

Not really relevant to the auto industry, apparently:

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/17/65780...-mexican-wages

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by trey100

All that being said I am sure the product will be very similar, at least in time. But to me certain purchases, like a car, are based on more factors. I like my Italian food from Italy, and my German cars from Germany. I like that regions have identities that they are known for, and part of paying that premium in purchase price is folded into that. I'm not saying it would stop me from purchasing the next M3 if I fall in love with it, but doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

US craft beer brewers are leaving traditional beer countries in the dust. Jack's Abby that I have the fortune to live near is making lagers that taste better than anything I tasted on my Euro Delivery trips.

[SteveSpy]

Originally Posted by BMWCompact

You say this because ....??????????

Labor rates.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Mexico only bought 25,000 Bmw, Yet they sold 45,000 in Canada with a much smaller population. They should build them where they are sold

yes clearly.

why build 1 larger plant when you can build 2 smallers ones with much worse economies of scale.

The BMW spartanburg suv plant... exports 81% of its output! OH NOES.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by DML

Nothing like paying Bavarian prices for Mexican made

Maybe BMW will sell Mexican made Vodka while they're at it.

[New2Roundel]

I love that everyone's getting jerked up by where a factory is located. You guys must not think BMW is a reputable company. There are certain minimum standards that every car must adhere to. I've owned cars made all over and never experience anything remotely horrible. My Brazilian-made VW Fox was a very very solid vehicle, as is my German-made VW Corrado.

Frankly, my biggest concern as an enthusiast is that BMW is going to stop offering M cars with ICEs, rwd, and a manual transmission. If BMW needs to make such a vehicle in Antarctica and have it assembled by polar bears and penguins, so be it. As long as the car performs and drives well. Some of you people are ridiculous.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

US craft beer brewers are leaving traditional beer countries in the dust. Jack's Abby that I have the fortune to live near is making lagers that taste better than anything I tasted on my Euro Delivery trips.

Not the same to me. Beer is something that I can appreciate coming from anywhere. Love American beer and imports too. Much less so with Mexican made German cars.

[trey100]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Not really relevant to the auto industry, apparently:

https://www.npr.org/2018/10/17/65780...-mexican-wages

So I read if they don't comply they will pay a 2.5% tariff. Some will raise wages and others will pay the tariff. Same effect. I don't need to convince you of anything - you've made up your mind. I still like authentic Italian food, German made cars, etc. I'm Italian and it's in my genes to appreciate these subtleties.