en.Wedoany.com Reported - Giant Motors Latinoamérica (GML) will begin exporting Mexico-assembled JAC vehicles to Latin American markets after investing 3 billion Mexican pesos (approximately $150 million), an investment that doubled the production capacity of its manufacturing plant in Ciudad Sahagún, Hidalgo.

This expansion marks a significant industrial shift for GML. GML aims to leverage Mexico's network of free trade agreements to replace Chinese imported vehicles with locally manufactured cars. Alongside announcing the export plan, the automaker also launched the updated JAC 4 2027 SUV, reinforcing its domestic manufacturing footprint amid geopolitical and trade uncertainties in the global automotive industry.

GML's decision to export Mexico-assembled vehicles is intended to position the Ciudad Sahagún plant as a regional industrial hub. Although the company has not yet determined the first export destinations, it plans to supply countries where the JAC brand already has an active commercial presence. Currently, JAC vehicles are sold in several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Mexico. GML is evaluating these markets for the first shipment destinations. According to Elías Massri, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Giant Motors Latinoamérica, the increased production will enable the company to meet both domestic demand and supply regional distributors. The export model relies on leveraging tariff preferences provided by Mexico's free trade agreements with Central and South American countries. By exporting from Mexico, GML aims to enhance the competitiveness of JAC vehicles in the region compared to vehicles imported directly from Asia. Within this framework, local operations in each target country will continue to manage regional commercialization and sales, while GML strictly serves as an industrial manufacturing platform.

The shift to export markets is supported by the investment of 3 billion Mexican pesos ($150 million) executed over the past 18 months at the Ciudad Sahagún assembly plant, which doubled the factory's manufacturing capacity compared to the previous year. The plant now has an annual production capacity of up to 60,000 vehicles, and GML designed the plant's infrastructure to be highly scalable, with output capable of increasing to 100,000 vehicles per year if regional market demand supports expansion. This 18-month industrial project introduced several upgrades at the Hidalgo site, including new modern production lines, a dedicated digital training center, an integrated test track for quality control, and a 15-hectare logistics yard to handle increased inventory and transportation volumes. To date, the Ciudad Sahagún plant has assembled over 110,000 vehicles and currently assembles 21 different JAC models, covering passenger cars, commercial trucks, and electric vehicles.

In parallel with the industrial expansion, GML launched the JAC 4 2027, an updated SUV assembled at the Hidalgo plant, with a starting price of 369,000 pesos ($21,179), positioning it as the most affordable entry-level SUV in the Mexican market. The vehicle's exterior features include an aerodynamic grille, LED daytime running lights, and 18-inch wheels, while the interior is equipped with a 12.8-inch multimedia screen, a 6.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rear USB Type-C ports. Massri noted that the vehicle represents a highly coordinated effort across GML's supply chain, and its price reflects the company's ability to compete with a solid, modern proposal as a Mexican company with a long-term vision.

GML's industrial footprint expansion occurs amid changing trade rules and geopolitical discussions surrounding regional content requirements and automotive supply chains. Massri emphasized that the core of GML's strategy is to strengthen national integration and the "Hecho en México" (Made in Mexico) label to mitigate market volatility. He stated that the company is not merely limiting its business to vehicle distribution but is actively focused on deepening its industrial footprint and local sourcing in Mexico to build long-term consumer trust. To support its growing fleet in the region, GML is also targeting after-sales logistics, with the company reporting that its spare parts delivery fill rate has reached 97% within 24 hours of receiving a request, thanks to its localized supply chain and expanded logistics footprint in Hidalgo.