Altran sets sights on Mexican auto industry, opens new office in Puebla
Altran has opened a new office in Puebla, Mexico. The new hub will focus primarily on clients within the automotive sector.
The global consulting firm, which specializes in engineering and innovation, has been active in the Mexican market since 2001, when it opened its first North American office. However, in the past year Altran has been confronted with a dramatic increase in the demand for its services, particularly from customers in the automotive industry. International companies, such as Audi, Volkwagen, and Ford, use Mexico as an important base for producing cars for the American market. Mexico currently produces just under 3 million units per year and is one of the largest car manufacturers on the planet. The majority of the country’s exports go directly to other NAFTA countries.
Puebla Car City
Puebla, situated 130km southeast of Mexico D.F., is one of the most important regions for the Mexican automotive industry. "We have decided to open a regional office in Mexico because this country offers an attractive ecosystem for foreign investment, and access to the rest of the continent. The decision followed countless requests from Altran's most loyal automotive customers," said Philippe Salle, Chief Executive Officer of the engineering consulting firm.
Automotive
The move does not come as a surprise, as the automotive industry has become one of the most important sectors for the consulting firm. Altran has been investing heavily in the sector, which accounts for approximately 20% of its global sales. The company does business with numerous car manufacturers, including Renault, PSA, Volkswagen, Fiat and BMW.
Recently, Altran expanded its automotive services in China in partnership with Beyondsoft. This joint venture, Altran-Beyondsoft (Beijing) Technologies, will utilize the group's expertise in the automotive electronics sector by providing R&D services in the field of connected cars. China’s consumer habits are one of the driving forces behind the strategic location, as well as its production capabilities in a cost-competitive global environment.