U.S., Canadian Auto Sectors to See $2.6 Billion in Projects Begin Construction in Third-Quarter 2015

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The automotive sector in the U.S. and Canada will see the kick-off of 35 capital projects with an anticipated value of $2.62 billion during this year's third quarter. The Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, will see the highest capital investment, with 17 capital projects at an estimated $1.3 billion.

With Industrial Info's database showing more than 500 operational automotive-sector facilities in the Great Lakes region alone, it is easy to see how the region has the lead in anticipated capital investments. One big-ticket item is the planned, $48.1 million expansion of Fuel Total Systems Corporation America's (Lebanon, Kentucky) facility in Lebanon, Kentucky. The company manufactures automotive plastic fuel tanks and steel fuel filler pipe systems. Fuel Total Systems Corporation America is a subsidiary of Toyoda Gosei (TGOSY) (Aichi, Japan).

General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM) (Detroit, Michigan) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) (Detroit) also revealed preliminary plans for expansions in the region. Plans were announced late last year for the $1 billion expansion of the General Motors truck assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the $100 million expansion of the Ford engine-manufacturing plant in Lima, Ohio. More details are expected as the individual companies decide to move forward.

The U.S. Southeast region comes in second place with eight projects totaling $723.75 million in value. The region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. With an investment value of $500 million, Mercedes-Benz North America's (Montvale, New Jersey) planned expansion at its manufacturing plant in Vance, Alabama, marks the biggest kick-off in the region. Mercedes-Benz intends to increase production by an additional 60,000 to produce 300,000 units annually, where it will begin building its new model SUV coupe. It is the only automotive assembly location for the company in North America. Mercedes-Benz is a subsidiary of Daimler AG (Stuttgart, Germany).

In third place is the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, which includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Industrial Info is tracking six projects in the region valued at $346 million, the largest of which is BMW's (FWB:BMW) (Munich, Germany) planned expansion of its facility in Greer, South Carolina. The expansion includes a new body shop at an expected cost of $150 million.

The Ontario region in Canada takes the fourth spot with one capital project estimated at $190 million. General Motors of Canada Limited (Oshawa, Ontario) plans to expand its facility in Ingersoll, Ontario, by building a new weld site in the recently completed body shop.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.