Los nuevos factores de localización industrial en México. La experiencia de los complejos automotrices de exportación en el norte.

This paper aims to explain the new location factors which are associated with the recent establishment of export-oriented motor plants in the North of Mexico. The findings support the hypothesis that some types of plants, such as the automotive export companies studied here, are more interested in applying flexible production systems than in taking advantage of the Weberian industrial location determinants. The study concludes that industrial organization theory is relevant in the design of industrial policy, while at the same time recognizing the need to broaden and to reformulate location models inherited from Regional Economics. Of particular importance is the need to recognize the high risks for failure in continuing to follow traditional industrial policies based on production subsidies and or for the provision by government agencies of dedicated infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]