Magna expands further in Mexico for Audi

Magna Powertrain (MPT), part of Magna International, has begun construction of a new facility in Ramos Arizpe expected to cost US$75 million.

The new facility – the ground-breaking ceremony took place on 30 April – is expected to be up and running in 2016 and will supply all-wheel-drive systems for the next generation Audi Q5 that will be built in Mexico.

By 2018 Audi’s production rate could be hitting 155,000 units a year. In the meantime the new facility will create 230 jobs.

The new building is the third to be erected at MPT’s growing operations in the region with MPT Ramos Arizpe becoming the global centre of excellence for the company’s all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive systems.

The new facility will allow MPT to extend its capabilities in this technology.  

MPT currently builds the powertrain for the electric Ford Focus in Mexico.

The year 2016 will be an important year for another of Magna International’s divisions. Last month, Magna Exteriors noted that it had been awarded a contract to supply painted body panels made from carbon fibre composite material for two 2016 model year vehicles. Magna declined to name the customer.                             ∎