Volkswagen’s Mexico-based operations celebrated their 50th birthday on January 15, 2013. Officially known as Volkswagen de México S.A., the regional arm was established on January 15, 1964 with the purpose importing and selling VW vehicles from Germany. The operation then expanded its activities to production and manufacturing in the state of Puebla some twelve years later in 1976.
As VW commenced manufacturing in Mexico, the first vehicle produced at its Puebla plant was the Bettle. That continued to be made until 2003, making for an extremely long (and we assume profitable) model line. Then in 1997, the Puebla plant became the only one in the Volkswagen group to build the New Beetle, exporting the model all over the world. At the same time, the plant began manufacturing the fourth-generation Jetta. Both models, according to VW, were key to the growth of its Mexican operations. Since establishing its presence in the country, the Volkswagen Auto Group states that it has already invested $8 billion into its Mexico operations.
The 50th anniversary of Volkswagen de México S.A. coincides with the start of production of the all-new seventh-generation Golf at the Puebla plant. The celebration was attended by 700 guests from politics and the industry, including Dr. Ildefonso Guajardo, Mexican Secretary of Economy and Rafael Moreno-Valle, Governor of the State of Puebla. As expected, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, was present and accounted for, as well.
The Motrolix Take
Here’s to hoping that VW’s Mexico-based production operations can deliver the manufacturing quality that the brand is known for, especially in vehicles that were previously made in Europe. Otherwise, it might all be for naught.
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