Guanajuato reaffirms its position as one of the country’s most dynamic economies by strengthening its industrial ecosystem with a strategy focused on diversification , innovation , and sustainability , according to Cristina Villaseñor Aguilar, head of the state’s Ministry of Economy .
In an interview with T21, Villaseñor explained that the state currently ranks fifth nationally in economic performance and first among non-border states in terms of exports.
In 2024, it recorded a record automotive production output of more than 896,000 vehicles and an installed capacity exceeding one million units. This year, a new record high is expected, with production reaching between 900,000 and 920,000 units.
In the manufacturing sector , Guanajuato ranks second nationwide , with a value of 1.2 trillion pesos. This result is due to a policy of economic certainty, stability, and adaptation to global changes, said Villaseñor.
The goal of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) for the six-year term amounts to eight billion dollars, of which 38% has already been realized in just one year, equivalent to three billion dollars, he explained.
“My economic strategy is complementary, sustainable, and responsible investment; it’s not just about attracting investment, but also attracting investment that contributes to the value chain,” the official stated.
These investments ( which have generated more than 8,400 jobs ) are distributed among municipalities in the industrial corridor and also in regions such as Guanajuato capital, San José Iturbide, Apaseo el Grande, Villagrán, San Miguel de Allende, Abasolo, Irapuato, León, Celaya, Silao and Romita, he commented.
In addition, it seeks to attract diversified projects in sectors such as plastics , services , technologies , pharmaceuticals and cosmetics .
The official highlighted that the state has 12 consolidated productive sectors , including fashion (textile, leather goods, and footwear), chemicals, logistics and mobility, aerospace, ceramics, information technology, construction, mining, and medical devices. Japan, the United States, Germany, Italy, France, England, Canada, Spain, Austria, Korea, Switzerland, and Mexico remain the main trading partners.
“In Guanajuato, we’re not just an automotive and agri-food industry. We have 12 outstanding sectors: fashion, chemicals, logistics, aerospace, ceramics, information technology, construction, mining, and medical devices,” Villaseñor added.
By 2026 and 2027 , the state agency plans to complete 25 additional projects with a potential investment exceeding US$1.5 billion , which would allow it to reach half of the six-year goal. Among the newly interested countries are Argentina, India, Taiwan, and Germany.
The state has also demonstrated resilience in the face of economic crises and global geopolitical shifts . The automotive industry represents 20% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , generates more than 213,000 direct and indirect jobs, and accounts for 72% of exports, equivalent to $26 billion in 2024.
The Guanajuato Automotive Cluster —considered the most important in Latin America—brings together more than 700 Tier 1, 2, and 3 companies, distributed across 23 municipalities and supported by 7,600 economic units linked to the productive ecosystem, Villaseñor explained.
From 1992 to 2025, Guanajuato has accumulated more than $25.5 billion in FDI, with a significant presence in sectors such as metalworking, plastics, rubber, glass, chemicals, electrical, specialized leather, textiles, logistics, and transportation.
The city was recently designated as a Wellness Hub for the Bajío Logistics Gateway , which will strengthen its role as an industrial hub and hub for land, air, and rail mobility.
According to Cristina Villaseñor , the state government is also promoting training and strengthening programs for local suppliers to consolidate the value chain, “generating ecosystems of prosperity that build peace.”
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