Electrification upfitter VIA Motors opens Mexico plant
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
New facility in San Luis Potosi will have capacity of 10,000 vehicles per year
SAN LUIS POTOSI, Mexico—VIA Motors has launched high volume assembly of its electrified vehicle lineup at a new plant in Mexico.
According to the company, it celebrated the opening of a new facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, about 700 kilometres south of the United States-Mexico border in central Mexico.
“VIA is here because … this region of Mexico is well known for high quality automobile production and a robust supply network,” company president Alan Perriton said in a release.
VIA, which upfits General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks, vans and SUVs with its electrified E-REV powertrain, said the facility is strategically located in a free trade zone close to suppliers.
The facility is approximately 170 kilometres north of GM’s Silao, Mexico, production plant.
According to VIA, the facility uses a conveyor-scissor lift system to move vehicles through eight assembly stations where employees raise or lower the vehicle to install E-REV components.
“VIA’s unique assembly system will be able to output two electric vehicles per hour and 10,000 vehicles per year,” said Pablo Acedo, president of VIA Motors Latin America.
“We are proud to be first to deploy this innovative assembly technology here in Mexico, to transform conventional vehicles into advanced, extended range electric vehicles.
“San Luis Potosi will soon become synonymous with electric vehicles.”
The new facility is adjacent to the NAFTA highway and Kansas City Southern Rail line (KCS) for easy transport to the U.S. and Canada.
