![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/11\/Mexico-map.png\")
<\/a>\nFord\u2019s Manufacturing Operations in Mexico [2]<\/em><\/p>\n
There are several benefits to Ford of manufacturing in Mexico. The country has a relatively skilled and low-cost labor force, is well located geographically to ship to the U.S. or South America, has wide ranging trade agreements, and has government policies promoting exports. [3] There are also an increasing number of Mexican graduates from engineering and technical schools which have expanded the pool of skilled labor. [3] The country\u2019s \u201cmaquiladora\u201d program also allows for duty-free importation of raw materials, components and equipment needed in the manufacture of goods for subsequent export. [4]<\/p>\n
Hourly Manufacturing Compensation by Country<\/em><\/p>\n The future of NAFTA, however, has become increasingly unclear, and may change how Ford and its peers view the benefits of manufacturing in Mexico. The current U.S. administration has highlighted two key areas that may change in the future. The first are changes to the rules of origin. Rules of origin govern what share of a car must be sourced from NAFTA countries (currently 62.5%) to qualify for NAFTA benefits. [6] Either an increase in that share or creating NAFTA country specific portions of that share could add substantial complexity and cost to the supply chain. [6] Alternatively, an import tax could be instated which would entirely change the economics of manufacturing in Mexico for import into the United States. [7] While there are many benefits to manufacturing in Mexico, Ford must be wary of the impact U.S. isolationism could have on NAFTA and the economics of production in Mexico.<\/p>\n In the short term, as a leading U.S. corporation, Ford has a voice it can contribute to the conversation. Ford\u2019s President of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs, has suggested focusing NAFTA changes on reducing foreign exchange manipulation and streamlining safety and other vehicle standards across the three countries. [8] Ford\u2019s former CEO Mark Fields was also vocal about the negative impacts of isolationism and indicated the company was in direct communication with the Trump administration on the topic. [9]<\/p>\n In the medium term, Ford is adjusting its decisions on capital allocation. In 2016, Ford announced it would build a $1.6 billion plant in San Luis Potosi in Mexico to build its Ford Focus model and create 2,800 jobs. [10] That decision came under attack from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. In 2017, the Company announced it would instead be building the Focus in China, where it could save $1 billion in investment costs. [10] The move underscored the Company\u2019s reluctance to invest additional production in Mexico amidst uncertainty and the increased interest in low-cost manufacturing options outside North America altogether.<\/p>\n There are additional steps the Company could take in the short and medium term to address the isolationism concern. The first would be to build a stronger coalition of companies to support NAFTA. While certain automotive companies have banded together in lobbying efforts, Ford could work to expand this further to incorporate a broad consortium of industries affected by changes to NAFTA. In the meantime, the Company could also continue to focus its North American investments in the United States to protect against changes that could impact the economics of locating manufacturing in Mexico or Canada. In the longer-term, the Company should work to diversify itself away from the United States. In 2016, 45% of Ford\u2019s car sales were in North America versus 24% for the global industry. [11] If the Company can further market its cars in growing international markets, it can reduce the impact and risk of U.S. isolationism on the Company at large. Ford may ultimately be best served by taking a long-term view and focusing on the lowest cost manufacturing locations with the best export conditions with the goal of being competitive on a global basis \u2013 even if it means potentially being less competitive in the U.S. market in the short-term.<\/p>\n Questions to consider: What is better for Americans, more manufacturing jobs in the U.S. or lower cost vehicles? Should Ford be investing in Mexico amidst uncertainty with NAFTA? With the potential for major administration changes in the U.S. every four years, how should companies think about the potential for considerable changes in trade policy on their supply chains?<\/p>\n (761 words)<\/p>\n [1] Office of the United States Trade Representative, \u201cNorth American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),\u201d https:\/\/ustr.gov\/trade-agreements\/free-trade-agreements\/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [2] Ford Motor Company, \u201cOperations Map,\u201d https:\/\/corporate.ford.com\/company\/operation-map.html<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [3] Coffin, David. Passenger Vehicles. Industry and Trade Summary. Publication ITS-09. Washington, DC: U.S. International Trade Commission, May 2013.<\/p>\n [4] Team NAFTA, \u201cNAFTA and the Maquiladora Program,\u201d http:\/\/teamnafta.com\/manufacturing-resources-pages\/2016\/4\/18\/nafta-and-the-maquiladora-program<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [5] Bureau of Labor Statistics, \u201cComponents of Hourly Compensation Costs in Manufacturing, U.S. Dollars, 2011,\u201d https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/ichcc.t03.htm<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [6] Gabrielle Coppola, \u201cAuto Industry Warns Trump Is Proposing \u2018Lose-Lose\u2019 Changes to Nafta,\u201d Bloomberg News, October 11, 2017. https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2017-10-11\/auto-industry-warns-trump-proposing-lose-lose-changes-to-nafta<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [7] Brad Tuttle, \u201cLots of Your Favorite Things Could Cost More if Trump Adds a 20% Mexican Import Tax,\u201d TIME, January 27, 2017. http:\/\/time.com\/money\/4651919\/trump-import-tax-mexico-build-wall\/<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [8] Michael Martinez, \u201cFord’s Hinrichs on how to improve NAFTA,\u201d Automotive News, May 1, 2017. http:\/\/www.autonews.com\/article\/20170501\/OEM11\/305019958\/fords-hinrichs-on-how-to-improve-nafta<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [9] Tim Higgins, \u201cFord CEO Wary of Trump\u2019s Talk About Tariffs and Nafta,\u201d The Wall Street Journal, November 15, 2017. https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/ford-ceo-looking-forward-to-working-with-president-elect-trump-1479234267<\/a>, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\nSource: Bureau of Labor Statistics [5]<\/em><\/p>\n