Mercedes-Benz GLA and Q30 expected for joint Mexico production 05-Sep-2013 10:59 GMT News Investments

Sourcing for the Mercedes-Benz in Mexico is an expected hedge against some currency fluctuations relative to the US market

Sources have confirmed to Reuters that the Infiniti Q30 will be one of the vehicles and Daimler will jointly build vehicle at Nissan's Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant. The Aguascalientes plant opens later in 2013. Among the considered Mercedes-Benz products is the GLA, which goes on sale in spring 2014 Europe and fall 2014 in the United States. GLA production begins at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, Germany and Mercedes will reveal the production GLA at the Frankfurt auto show next week, with Infiniti showing a concept version of the Q30, derived from the 2011 Etherea concept. The GLA is a four-door , and will share engines and some chassis components with the Q30, billed as a four-door .

Significance: Sourcing for the Mercedes-Benz in Mexico is an expected hedge against some currency fluctuations relative to the US market, and a Mercedes has been earmarked for the Aguascalientes expansion for two years, however, the CLA had been more widely expected. Production of the GLA at Ratstatt is due in 2014, the GLA is also due for production in China in 2015, according to the IHS Automotive forecast. Nissan previously announced that an Infiniti C-segment hatchback would be at the , United Kingdom, assembly plant, and only at Sunderland, but the Etherea / Q30 is using the Mercedes MFA platform, for which Nissan's Aguascalientes plant is already being prepared. About the time of the Etherea's 2011 launch, it was planned to be built under contract by Magna-Steyr in Austria; that plan was scrapped in October of 2012. Production of the Infiniti, whether Mexico or the United Kingdom, is not expected until 2015.

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