Vehicle Production: Priority in Mexico’s Lithium Supply Chain

President Andres Manuel López Obrador announced on Friday that the exploitation of lithium organized by the State will benefit various industries, fostering new automotive investment and contributing to companies that already have assembly plants in the country.

“We have lithium that we could sell to anyone, but the priority is to strengthen the automotive industry in Mexico. We are analyzing this and we are very much looking forward to resolve our priorities based on the characteristics of the company,” said López Obrador. This announcement comes after the designation of lithium as a national resource, supported by plans to create a national lithium company that sells lithium-based products, instead of only the raw material.

Collaboration between the public and private sector is critical in this sense, to ensure Mexico becomes attractive for the automotive industry. “This (lithium) company can interact or have commercial relations with the automotive industry in the country. It will be an attractive asset to strengthen our industry or the automotive plants installed in Mexico. We will make lithium available to the automotive industry that is manufacturing vehicles and auto parts in Mexico.”

The president also addressed the partnership between Mexico and Bolivia on lithium exploitation during a diplomatic visit to the South American country. Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, said that collaboration between both countries to construct a plan for the exploitation and application of lithium was the main objective of the visit, as reported by MBN. “This official visit will allow us to strengthen the historical ties of more than 190 years of diplomatic relations, strengthening our bilateral agenda in different areas, framed by cooperation and solidarity,” said Rogelio Mayta, Bolivia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lithium is required for the assembly of rechargeable batteries that are used in hybrid and electric vehicles, which is one of the main reasons for the forecasted increase in demand of the resource, Francisco N. González, Executive President, National Auto Parts Industry (INA), told MBN.