Northeast Mexico takes full advantage of its proximity to the United States and Mexico City to provide a home to all types of manufacturers. Its manufacturing base includes petroleum and related industries, automotive, electronics, metals and consumer appliances.

      In Coahuila, the main economic activity is manufacturing, which represents 36.6 percent of the entity’s GDP. Metal mechanics, automotive, textile, apparel, chemical, and construction supplies industries are the most important.

      Trade, restaurants and hotels contribute 18.7 percent of GDP; community, social and personal services, 15.6 percent.

      In the last few years the in-bond manufacturing industry has recorded significant growth, employing 44 percent of total industrial labor and exporting 69 percent of the state’s sales. Thirty-two percent of the population has a middle-higher or higher education. Labor concentration by activity sectors is as follows: manufacturing, 34.7 percent; trade, 19.2 percent; and services, 40.9 percent.

      BorgWarner Inc. in Saltillo is an example of a company that found success in Coahuila. BorgWarner recently approved $120 million in key investments for the continued growth of the powertrain technology supplier. These investments include a new production campus for the Drivetrain Group in Mexico.

      “This is an exciting time for BorgWarner as our growth around the world is propelled by the need for vehicle fuel efficiency and improved air quality,” said Tim Manganello, BorgWarner Chairman and CEO. ‘These growth projects are evidence of the momentum we are gaining as our innovative engine and drivetrain technologies like turbochargers and dual-clutch transmission modules lead the market in delivering benefits for drivers and...