Following Nissan ‘s announcement that it is closing its manufacturing plant in the Cuernavaca Valley Industrial City (CIVAC) in Morelos, at least two automakers have shown interest in occupying the facility, according to José Víctor Sánchez Trujillo, head of the Morelos Secretariat of Economic Development and Labor (SDEyT) , who for confidentiality reasons did not reveal the names of the companies that have raised their hands.

“There are at least two automakers we’ve already interviewed who are interested. The investors are domestic, but they would evidently assemble vehicles and trucks, many of them with Chinese parts, and they’re thinking about targeting the Mexican market, but especially the Latin American market,” the state official emphasized in an interview with T21.

Although Sánchez Trujillo described Nissan’s announcement of its departure from Morelos to relocate its production to Aguascalientes as “painful,” after nearly 60 years in the state, he said that the goal is to take advantage of the state’s strategic location to position it as a logistics hub for central and southern Mexico .

In this regard, the state administration, headed by Governor Margarita González, has managed to secure nearly one billion pesos (mdp) from the federal government to improve the highway system, with the goal of facilitating the movement of goods to and from the state.

A fundamental pillar of this strategy is the reactivation of the Cuernavaca International Airport , with a cargo vocation.

“The fiscalized area is about to begin to be established. Now, since all cargo transportation has been moved to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) , it is advisable, from half of Mexico City to here and the surrounding areas of Puebla, Guerrero, and even the State of Mexico, to distribute merchandise from Cuernavaca, Morelos, since we are two and a half hours from Puebla, four from the Gulf of Mexico, three from the Pacific, and with all the radiation towards the center-south of the country, it is a predominant location,” he explained.

The Secretary of Economic Development indicated that they will begin with shipments to Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Monterrey, Nuevo León. “We hope to announce the arrival of at least a couple of commercial lines by the end of the year, but we are looking to focus primarily on logistics.”

He specified that along the entire corridor from the airport, Xochitepec, to the Autopista del Sol, approximately 200 hectares have already been purchased , where a park will begin to be developed, primarily for logistics mobility . “Thanks to that highway and the 21st Century Highway, we have those possibilities.”

In this diversification of Morelos’ economy , e-commerce and parcel delivery giants are turning to Morelos.  Amazon is not only exploring film productions but is also evaluating redistribution centers, as are UPS, FedEx, Estafeta, and Mercado Libre. This dynamic seeks to expedite deliveries to central and southern Mexico, reducing times and costs compared to routes from the AIFA (Mexico City’s main airport).

Sánchez Trujillo emphasized that these investments could mitigate the impact of Nissan’s closure, which affects 2,200 workers , 800 of whom are on temporary contracts, which expire in December, and the rest are part of collective bargaining agreements.

The official emphasized that a large part of CIVAC is being established with activity heavily geared toward the pharmaceutical industry , and noted that they also have requests from companies already established in CIVAC for potential expansion into the 40 hectares that the Japanese automotive company will be leaving behind, as well as for the arrival of other companies.

Morelos is also known for its research centers , of which there are more than 40, enabling the generation of very important patents that are now becoming technology-based companies.   

Regarding the economic impact of the closure of the Nissan CIVAC plant, which will take place during fiscal year 2025, between last April and March 2026, the official explained that they are currently evaluating the impact and reiterated the boost the state will receive, especially with a logistical focus .

It’s worth remembering that the CIVAC plant was where Nissan established its first operation outside of Japan in 1966, and according to the automaker, more than 6.5 million units have been assembled there since then.

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El cargo Morelos boosts economy with logistics focus as Nissan closes in CIVAC apareció primero en T21.

Becoming Nissan ‘s nerve center in Latin America is more than just an operational change; it’s a strategic leap. The decision to move all vehicle production from Mexico to the Aguascalientes complex , following the announcement of the closure of the CIVAC manufacturing plant in Cuernavaca, Morelos, opens a new era for the state and redefines its role in the automotive industry, according to Esaú Garza de Vega, head of the Secretariat of Economic Development, Science and Technology (Sedecyt) of Aguascalientes .

From the state government, the announcement was received as a clear sign of confidence.

“It is a direct recognition of the efficiency, quality, and reliability of Aguascalientes’ talent and the world-class infrastructure we have built,” Garza de Vega told T21.

Nissan’s restructuring is part of the global Re:Nissan plan and includes the centralization of models such as the NP300 , Frontier and Versa in the Bajío region, as the Japanese company reported in a press release .

This transition will take place during fiscal year 2025 , between April 2025 and March 2026, when operations at the CIVAC plant in Cuernavaca, Morelos, will cease.

For Aguascalientes, the announcement not only represents industrial growth, but also implies more exports, opportunities for local suppliers , and direct and indirect jobs.

“Many suppliers will have the opportunity to scale their production and technology, aligning themselves with the new models that will be manufactured here,” the official said.

The state government, he added, will facilitate the necessary conditions for this restructuring to be a success, not only for the company, but also as a lever for growth for the regional economy.

“We reaffirm our commitment to working as a team with Nissan and its network of partners so that Aguascalientes remains a global industrial benchmark,” he emphasized.

The CIVAC plant , where Nissan established its first operation outside Japan in 1966, will cease vehicle production after nearly six decades of operation.

According to the automaker’s own data, more than 6.5 million units have been assembled there , making it a symbol of modernity and employment for the region. Throughout its history, it has operated three production lines and exported to key markets.

“Its history represents a fundamental pillar of Mexico’s industrial development and the brand’s international positioning,” acknowledged Garza de Vega, who highlighted the new role the Aguascalientes complex will assume within the Japanese firm’s global manufacturing network.

A state that does not stop

Beyond industrial restructuring, Aguascalientes is moving forward with a clear vision toward the end of 2025.

“Our main goal is to surpass the 27 investment announcements we made last year and continue to strengthen investor confidence in the state,” he shared.

The goal is twofold: preserving quality jobs and diversifying the economy through sectors such as electromobility, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, biotechnology, and information technology.

At the same time, more local companies are expected to integrate into global value chains.

“Economic development must be inclusive and sustainable, which is why we continue to focus on developing specialized talent, promoting exports, and fostering collaboration between government, academia, and businesses,” concluded Garza de Vega.

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El cargo Aguascalientes “takes the wheel” after Nissan’s farewell to CIVAC apareció primero en T21.