Nuevo Leon’s Infrastructure Insufficient to Host Tesla: ANEI
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Nuevo Leon’s Infrastructure Insufficient to Host Tesla: ANEI

Photo by:   Jared Murray
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Fernando Mares By Fernando Mares | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Tue, 03/14/2023 - 17:28

Tesla’s recently announced gigafactory in Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon is expected to reshape the state’s industry. However, experts have warned that the state’s infrastructure capabilities might not be sufficient as roads are already forming bottlenecks in some parts. The need to develop further infrastructure has also attracted local financial institutions, which expressed their desire to help solve the issue.

In an interview with El Economista, Fernando Turner, President and Founder, the National Association of Independent Entrepreneurs (ANEI), said that Tesla is a “disruptive” company, which requires a comprehensive road infrastructure and mobility strategy that neither federal nor state government have developed as of yet.

Turner said that the problem of bottlenecks in traffic in Monterrey’s metropolitan area is growing due to deficient connectivity planning and the lack of a program to regulate transportation scheduling for companies using main highways and rail lines. “What companies want is investment in infrastructure. In this sense, Pesqueria and the metropolitan area are collapsing due to [failing] roads and transportation as well as pollution. This is caused by the lack of investment in the municipalities,” Turner said, adding that these problems may be aggravated by the forecasted population growth in these areas.

In the case of Pesqueria, Turner added that the government did not make the required investments when the Korea-based automaker KIA landed in the municipality nor when Ternium’s plant expanded, which caused problems regarding transportation.

According to Turner, the state government alone can develop a comprehensive plan. “There is one thing this government does have: money. Derived from the 2020 Population and Housing Census, federal participation has increased significantly and there is full employment. The population’s economy is strong and companies can work together,” he added. 

Owing to Tesla's investment, Banorte, one of the biggest banks in Mexico, announced it will give credit to companies interested in offering services to car manufacturers. The bank said it will also be willing to offer credit to finance infrastructure developed by the public sector. Banorte is planning to invest over 13% of its income in the country owing to nearshoring opportunities. 

Entrepreneurs also have highlighted the need to develop energy infrastructure to keep up with the market developments Tesla will bring to Mexico.

Photo by:   Jared Murray

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