BMW “absolutely committed” to new plant in Mexico despite Trump stance

PanARMENIAN.Net - BMW has told the BBC that it is "absolutely" committed to a new plant in Mexico despite Donald Trump's hostility to imported cars, BBC News said.

The president-elect has threatened to impose a "border" tax on firms that make cars in Mexico for the U.S. market.

BMW is spending $1bn on a plant in Mexico, while other firms are investing in the U.S. or moving production back.

On Sunday, January 8 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a $1bn (£816m) plan to produce three Jeep models in the U.S.

FCA will also move the production of a Ram pickup truck from Mexico to the U.S.

Last week Trump criticised General Motors for building cars in Mexico for the U.S. market.

"General Motors is sending Mexican-made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers tax-free across border. Make in USA or pay big border tax!" he tweeted.

He also threatened Toyota with a border tax if it went a head with a plant in Mexico.

BMW sales and marketing director Ian Robertson told the BBC that the firm was "absolutely" committed its new plant in San Luis Potosi, which will make its 3 Series cars for sale across North America.

He added that the company was investing $1bn in its plant in South Carolina and pointed out that BMW was the biggest exporter of cars, in terms of value, from the U.S.

"I don't think there's any discussion that BMW is not at home in the United States. Yes we are building a plant in Mexico. Yes we built a plant in Brazil last year. Yes we are building plants in other parts of the world as our capacity increases. But that's part of a normal strategic manufacturing direction," Robertson said.