How Many OEM´s Are in Guanajuato and What Is Their Impact on Mexico's Economy?

Guanajuato has emerged as one of Mexico's most dynamic states, playing a pivotal role in the national economy.

Preliminary data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reveals that in 2022, Guanajuato ranked as the fifth-largest contributor to Mexico’s GDP, accounting for 4.7% or 1.4 trillion pesos. It follows Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Nuevo León, and Jalisco.

The state thrives on its diverse industrial economy, with key sectors including agroindustry, automotive, aerospace, leather and footwear, and information technology. INEGI reports that the industrial sector alone represents 42% of the state's GDP.

Automotive Industry

One of the most significant industries in Guanajuato’s economy is the automotive sector. It operates in 21 of the state’s 46 municipalities and includes 360 companies. Guanajuato is a leading producer of light vehicles in Mexico, manufacturing over 788,000 units annually.

Guanajuato is the only state in Mexico with the presence of six original equipment manufacturers (OEMs):

• General Motors in Silao
• Honda in Celaya
• Mazda in Salamanca
• Toyota in Apaseo el Grande
• Volkswagen in Silao (focused on engine production)
• Hino Motors in Silao (truck assembly).

What Models Are Produced?

• General Motors in Silao assembles the Silverado models (regular cab and double cab) and Sierra models (regular cab and double cab).
• Honda in Celaya manufactures its light truck model HR-V.
• Mazda in Salamanca produces Mazda 2 cars (hatchback and sedan), Mazda 3 cars, and light trucks CX-3 and CX-30.
• Toyota in Apaseo el Grande produces the Tacoma and Tacoma HEV models.
• Volkswagen in Silao manufactures the EA211 and EA888 engines.
• Hino Motors, part of Toyota Group, assembles the Series 500 units in Silao.

The region also hosts major automotive suppliers like Kirchhoff, Waldashaff, GKN Automotive, Forvia, Freudenberg, Bosh, Fujikura, Delfingen, American Axle & Manufacturing, Kromberg & Schubert, Stant, Omron Automotive Electronics and Pirelli.

Aerospace

The aerospace sector is one of the strategic industries whose development has been strongly promoted in the state. In Guanajuato, the first Mexican Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) is designed and manufactured by the company Horizontec.

Aerospace companies with a presence in the region include ATG Additive, CEI Aerospace, Astech, Grupo SSC, Optimen, Siasa Air, and Speqtrum, among others. According to state government data, Guanajuato has exported $5.8 million in aerospace products.

Leather and Footwear

The leather and footwear sector is a traditional industry in Guanajuato. Statistics indicate that eight out of every ten pairs of shoes produced in Mexico are made in Guanajuato, where more than 4,698 economic units are established—representing 52% of those registered nationwide.

The footwear industry, which contributes an estimated 3% to the state’s GDP, reports annual exports exceeding $900 million, with primary destinations including the United States, Canada, Panama, Guatemala, and Italy, among others.

Agroindustrial

Guanajuato is known for its fertile land. On a national level, the primary sector generates 43,501 million pesos of the state's Gross Domestic Product (4.2% of the state’s GDP). Nationally, it ranks seventh in terms of its contribution to the national GDP, accounting for 5.2 percent. In agricultural production, it ranks eighth nationally; in livestock, it is ranked fifth, and 25th in fisheries. Some of the main products of the region include corn, agave, grain sorghum, broccoli, lettuce, alfalfa, among others. The state ranks among the top in the country for strawberry exports.

The state is home to around 200 agroindustrial companies, including Agrícola Santa Amalia, Mr. Lucky, Aguilares, AGRIIZAR, Agropecuaria Sanfandila, Frutymex, Goldfield, Xtra Congelados, Proselacsa, among others. It also has research centers such as Agrobioteg and Agres, among others, according to the Guanajuato Food Cluster.

Information Technologies and Data Centers

Another strategic sector for Guanajuato is Information Technologies, through which the aim is to drive digital transformation. According to figures from the GTO Tech cluster, there are more than 60 companies and 240 developers registered. Additionally, the state is home to data centers, such as Layer 9, a hyperscale project with a 96MW campus and an investment of 800 million dollars.