Tesla has officially appointed Teresa Gutiérrez Smith as Country Manager, spearheading the company’s ambitious expansion plans in Mexico. This key appointment coincides with Tesla’s major project, the construction of Gigafactory Mexico in Nuevo León. Gutiérrez Smith, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in multinational corporations, is expected to be key in steering Tesla’s growth in Latin America.
A Profound Professional Profile
Teresa Gutiérrez Smith joins Tesla after an impressive two-decade career at Nestlé, Mattel, Procter & Gamble, and Rappi México. Gutiérrez Smith, who holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Iberoamericana and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Pan American Institute of Senior Business Management (IPADE), has previously served as Rappi’s Country Manager and Regional General Manager, demonstrating her extensive experience.
Tesla Gigafactory Mexico
The appointment of Gutiérrez Smith aligns with Tesla’s substantial investment in Giga Mexico. It is positioned as a cornerstone of the company’s Latin American growth strategy. With an initial investment surpassing $5 billion and the potential to reach over $10 billion, Giga Mexico is slated to be an enormous facility spanning 1,600 hectares in Santa Catarina. The Gigafactory is anticipated to generate up to 7,000 direct jobs and manufacture one million vehicles annually. This includes the eagerly awaited Model Y and Cybertruck and the groundbreaking 4680 battery cells.
Slow Progress and Future Prospects
Mexico, a country heavily involved in EV production, still needs to gain domestic adoption. According to Motor Intelligence, Gutiérrez Smith faces the challenge of expanding Tesla’s brand in a market where EVs accounted for only 0.5 percent of automotive sales in 2022. Her strategic leadership will be crucial in increasing EV ownership in Latin America.
Despite the slow progress since the Giga Mexico announcement, Tesla received all required construction permits late last year. In addition, the Mexican state of Nuevo León provided the company with a substantial incentive package worth 2.63 billion pesos (approximately US$153 million/C$205 million). It represents a significant step forward for Tesla in achieving its regional manufacturing goals.
Tesla Giga Factory’s Local Impact
Gigafactory Mexico is expected to have a significant positive impact on the local economy. According to Professor Jorge A. Moreno of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, the factory is expected to directly create 5,000 to 6,000 jobs, with another 29,000 to 30,000 jobs created indirectly through suppliers and related needs. This significant job creation is likely to contribute to the economic growth of Nuevo León.
Tesla’s commitment to job creation and economic stimulation has resulted in significant incentives from Nuevo León. The expected $153 million incentive demonstrates the state’s expectations for Tesla’s significant contributions. Iván Rivas, State Secretary of Economy, emphasizes the potential economic impact, stating that Tesla’s contributions could result in 12,000 new direct jobs, accounting for nearly 15% of total job creation in the state.
As Gigafactory Mexico approaches completion, Teresa Gutiérrez Smith’s appointment as Country Manager is a strategic move by Tesla. It aims to fortify the company’s standing in the Mexican market. Tesla’s ambitious expansion plans, coupled with Gutiérrez Smith’s seasoned leadership, set the stage for transformative success in Latin America.
