SONORA – Sonora will host the production center of the first electric car designed and assembled entirely in Mexico: Olinia.
This vehicle, whose name means ”moving” in Nahuatl, is a project promoted by the Mexican government to offer an accessible and sustainable alternative for urban transportation, designed by young talent in the country.
The announcement was made at a press conference by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stressed that Olinia will be part of the Technological Development Program for Innovation, the thirty-fourth commitment of the one hundred points presented at her inauguration.
This program seeks to consolidate an electric car that is not only accessible to Mexican families and youth, but also strengthens the growth of the national automotive industry and encourages the use of clean energy.
“We want a compact and functional car that can represent an alternative to motorcycles,” said Sheinbaum, highlighting the vehicle’s safety and accessibility.
The governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, pointed out that this project will strengthen the Sonora Sustainable Energy Plan, boosting economic development in the region and positioning Sonora as a benchmark in decarbonization and clean energy.
He also stressed that this initiative will generate jobs in the state and support local productive chains, in collaboration with Mexican companies dedicated to the manufacture of vehicle components.
Despite the optimism, industry experts point to significant challenges. According to Francisco González, president of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA), although Mexico has the experience and capacity to produce electric vehicles, it will be necessary to invest significantly in research and adapt production lines to meet the standards of a competitive vehicle in terms of price and energy efficiency.
The launch of this car, designed as a compact urban mobility alternative, is shaping up to be an important step towards the transition to a sustainable economic model in Mexico.