VIA Motors inaugurated its first high volume electric vehicle assembly line this week in a ribbon cutting ceremony held at its new facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
The governor, Dr. Fernando Toranzo, officiated at the ceremony along with VIA Motors president Alan Perriton, and Pablo Acedo, president of VIA Motors Latin America (VMLM).
After test driving a VIA electric pick-up truck at the event, Governor Toranzo said, "I was impressed with how smooth, quiet, and powerful the truck is, and what a pleasure it is to drive." We are pleased that VIA chose to locate here, and we are excited to join with them in building electric vehicles that are so key to our future," added Governor Toranzo.
Alan Perriton, president of VIA Motors remarked, "VIA is here because of our alliance with Grupo Geurra (GEG) and because this region of Mexico is well known for high quality automobile production and a robust supply network."
The new facility is strategically located in a free trade zone near several major automakers and suppliers. New vehicles are transported from the General Motors production facility in Silao, to VIA’s assembly plant in nearby San Luis Potosi, where they are transformed into electric vehicles by integrating VIA’s proprietary extended range electric power train.
The facility employs a unique conveyor-scissor lift system that moves conventional vehicles through 8 assembly stations where technicians raise or lower the vehicle at each station to install electric and other components.
"VIA’s unique assembly system will be able to output two electric vehicles per hour and 10,000 vehicles per year," said Pablo Acedo. "We are proud to be first to deploy this innovative assembly technology here in Mexico, to transform conventional vehicles into advanced, extended range electric vehicles," said Mr. Acedo. "San Luis Potosi will soon become synonymous with electric vehicles," concluded Acedo.
The new facility is adjacent to the NAFTA highway and Kansas City Southern Rail line (KCS) for easy transport to the US and Canada. After the ribbon was cut in front of the new assembly line, a group of line workers gathered for a photo and shouted "Vaya con VIA!"