Growing to Meet Demand: Q&A With Nissan Mexicana President Jose Valls

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico  –- In a ceremony that fused Japanese and Mexican traditions, Nissan celebrated a historic milestone by setting the first stone of its new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes. The following is Q&A With Nissan Mexicana President Jose Valls regarding the event.

Q1. Why do you think Nissan chose to expand in Mexico?

Valls: Well basically because we are at the top of our capacity.  The speed of the plant is at the maximum level and the growth in the Mexican market and all of the region, we are at the point now where we cannot meet demand.  Fortunately demand is growing.  The brand is being demanded all across the region and we are at the point we cannot meet demand anymore, so I guess that’s why Mexico has been a place of growth along the Americas, U.S. Brazil and basically the idea is to fulfill the demand that is growing all across the region and all the globe because take in mind that from Mexico we are exporting to more than 100 countries.
 
Q2. Do you think Mexico is a smart place to keep growing?
Valls: The story tells us that is has been more than 50 years that we are here and growing. You know we were here today at the groundbreaking ceremony just crossing the street Armando Avila was reminding me that 30 years ago he was just on the other side of the street making the same ceremony when the engine plant started.  So I guess the commitment and the growth of Mexico has been demonstrated with the growth of the brand.  We have more than 25 percent share in the domestic market and the benefit of the customers in Mexico, they have been confirming that our decision is a right one.
 
Q3. Why do you think so many car companies are following Nissan’s lead and expanding operations in Mexico?

Valls: Mexico has been usually the number nine producer in the world.  Now we are number seven.  We used to be number nine exporter in the world.  Now we are in fourth place, soon third place in the world as an exporter hub.  So competitiveness of the talent in Mexico, besides the footprint of the manufacturing supplier base and the professionalism of the whole team and the commitment of the Mexicans in delivering quality in time makes a difference.  So we are not the
only ones who have recognized that.  I guess all the automakers are following us in that direction and Mexico is definitely a place to be from the automaker’s perspective.
 
Q4. Why do you think this announcement (July 9 Stone Laying Ceremony) garnered the attention and presence of the current President of Mexico?

Valls: It is very important not only for Nissan, not only for Aguascalientes but for Mexico.  The biggest ever investment in Mexico, it is worth it for him to take the time here and make the commitment to the evolution of the project.  The public state and the private state, they come together with one objective of growing.  It’s amazing and he is definitely supportive of our growth and of the automotive industry’s growth.  He definitely has been supportive of Nissan’s growth in the region.
 
Q5. Do you expect the same amount of support from Mexico’s newly elected president?

Valls: Yes, definitely. The governor of Aguascalientes is part of the new administration taking over now. We have received a lot of support from this governor and definitely think the new administration will keep supporting Nissan’s investment in growth.

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