Cessna, the US aircraft manufacturer, in May announced the expansion of two plants in Northern Mexico that will produce fuselages, carbon-fibre wings, ventilation ducts and a host of small parts for its aircraft.

In the same week, Bell Helicopter said it would start work on a new $85m plant in Mexico that would make electrical harnesses for its commercial helicopters. The second phase of the plan is to set up an industrial design and engineering centre.