Aguascalientes
48 years without strikes; $8B+ Japanese investment since 1999; Nissan consolidating all Mexico production here; 9th in auto parts ($4B output).
Aguascalientes has gone 48 years without an industrial strike—labor peace that helped attract over $8 billion in Japanese investment since 1999. Nissan operates two major facilities here and in 2025 began consolidating all Mexican vehicle production to Aguascalientes, including the 2025 Kicks backed by $700 million investment. The state ranks ninth nationally in auto parts production, generating $4 billion in output annually, with 70% destined for export.
The Bajío region—encompassing Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí—gives manufacturers access to 80% of the Mexican market within a three-hour radius. The COMPAS plant (Nissan-Mercedes joint venture) will close in May 2026 as part of Nissan's global restructuring, eliminating jobs but allowing consolidation of production for Versa, Sentra, Kicks, and the Frontier pickup at the remaining Aguascalientes complex.
By 2026, Aguascalientes will test whether Nissan's commitment compensates for COMPAS closure and regional competition. If the consolidated plant achieves projected 200,000 annual Kicks units and new models attract investment, the state maintains its automotive identity. If Nissan's global troubles reduce Mexican production or competitors in Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí capture growth, Aguascalientes may find its labor peace insufficient to sustain momentum.