Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Cross-border collaboration took center stage on June 11, 2026, as COSTEP welcomed the Cluster Automotriz de San Luis Potosí, regional economic development corporations, and strategic partners for a special meeting and networking session at the Cambria Hotel in McAllen, Texas.
According to COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez, the event brought together key leaders from the Rio South Texas Region and Northern Mexico to explore industrial growth, supply chain integration, and new investment opportunities. The program featured presentations by COSTEP and the Cluster Automotriz de San Luis Potosí, a panel discussion with regional EDCs and strategic stakeholders, and a special presentation on infrastructure and logistics by Jorge Torres, president of Interlink Trade Services and a U.S. customs broker.
It is important to know that San Luis Potosí ranks among Mexico’s leading automotive manufacturing states, with two assembly plants, more than 250 auto parts companies, and over 85,000 direct industry jobs, according to a presentation to Rio South Texas business leaders.
Luis Alberto González, Executive Director of the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster, presented the figures at a June 11, 2026, meeting hosted by COSTEP at the Cambria Hotel in McAllen.
Luis Alberto also serves as treasurer of Mexico’s National Network of Automotive Clusters.
He said Mexico produces about 4 million vehicles annually and ranks seventh worldwide in light-vehicle production and fourth in commercial-vehicle production. Mexico is also the leading exporter of auto parts to the United States and the fourth-largest auto-parts exporter worldwide, he said. According to the presentation, more than 2,000 companies participate in Mexico’s automotive and auto-parts industries, supporting more than 2 million jobs.
Luis Alberto said that 96.2% of Mexico’s vehicle exports go to the United States, Canada, and Germany, with more than 78% going to the United States. According to figures presented by the cluster, vehicles assembled in Mexico account for approximately 17% of the 16 million vehicles consumed annually in the United States. Vehicles built in the United States account for 55% of U.S. consumption.
San Luis Potosí ranks fifth among Mexican states in vehicle production, Luis Alberto said. BMW and General Motors operate assembly plants there. BMW manufactures the 3 Series, 2 Series Coupé, and M2 in San Luis Potosí. He added that the facility is the only BMW plant in the world that produces the M2. General Motors manufactures the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain in the state.
Mexico produces about $120 billion in auto parts annually, according to Luis Alberto. San Luis Potosí ranks sixth nationally, producing about $8.5 billion in parts each year. The state’s suppliers manufacture tires, wiring harnesses, interiors, seating systems, and other components. Companies also offer precision machining and industrial services.
“For every car produced in the United States, 21% of its value is Mexican,” Luis Alberto said, referring to imported automotive components used by U.S. manufacturers.
He placed direct automotive employment in San Luis Potosí at more than 85,000. When security, industrial food service, and employee transportation are included, automotive-related employment exceeds 200,000, he said.
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