Nearshoring has become an accelerator for the transformation of the mobility industry in Mexico and is driving vehicle automation, according to specialists during the panel The Nearshoring Opportunity for the Sustainable Mobility Value Chain , held at LATAM Mobility & Net Zero Mexico 2024 .
In this sense, according to the panelists, companies are relocating their operations in the country since they find an ideal environment to develop new value chains, amid the boom in electrification, automation and sustainability .
Alejandro Boué del Valle, Marketing Manager for Mobility & Transportation at Dow Latin America, highlighted that his company is working intensively to integrate solutions that optimize electrification and automation processes.
“In the automotive industry, new trends are driving the development of lighter and more durable materials, which are essential for electric vehicles and their components such as batteries and sensors,” Boué explained.
Another point highlighted was the need for greater infrastructure to support this transformation towards sustainable mobility. In this regard, Paulina Sánchez Romero, General Director of Sustainable Development in Sonora, highlighted the importance of creating a network of solar-powered electric chargers to support the growth of electric vehicles.
“In Sonora, we are promoting a strategic route to Arizona and California, aligned with the electrification policies of those states. We already have some electric chargers and we are working on expanding this infrastructure with clean energy,” said Sánchez Romero.
He also stressed that collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to attract more investment and strengthen the electric mobility supply chain.
For her part, Shirley Wagner, a specialist in global sustainability, highlighted some of the challenges that Mexico faces in this transformation process, such as the lack of planning.
“It is essential to plan appropriately so that sustainable mobility is implemented effectively and with benefits for local communities. Regulation and infrastructure are essential, but so is technology transfer and training of specialized mobility talent,” said Wagner.
He also said that foreign investments must meet sustainability and energy efficiency standards , aspects that are becoming key requirements at a global level.
Experts agreed that nearshoring also involves a complete reconfiguration of supply chains, which opens up opportunities for key sectors such as battery, semiconductor and electric vehicle production.
For them, the transition to electric mobility is driving demand for more advanced components, and Mexico has the potential to become a global leader in this field. However, they assured that to achieve this, investment in infrastructure, clear regulations and training of specialized talent must continue.
Finally, Sánchez Romero added that concrete measures are already being taken in Sonora to develop industrial parks focused on electromobility and training programs are being implemented in collaboration with international institutions, such as Taiwan, to prepare future professionals in this sector.
“We are making progress in creating a comprehensive ecosystem that combines manufacturing, clean energy and talent development. Nearshoring is a historic opportunity, but it will only be sustainable if we coordinate efforts between the government, the private sector and academia,” concluded Sánchez.
The panelists highlighted that Mexico has a unique opportunity to establish itself as a leader in sustainable mobility, as long as collaboration between governments, industry and academia is maintained to address the challenges of infrastructure and talent.
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