French auto supplier moves manufacturing closer to South Texas after major McAllen investment

French automotive supplier Valeo is shifting part of a manufacturing operation from Ciudad Juárez to Río Bravo, bringing more advanced vehicle production closer to the South Texas border.

The move comes months after Valeo announced a $225 million manufacturing investment in McAllen.

According to Minerva Cornejo, secretary of economic development for Río Bravo, Valeo will gradually relocate part of a Chihuahua operation into Río Bravo as the company expands production tied to more advanced vehicle technology and higher-value manufacturing.

“Río Bravo is directly linked to Valeo’s future technological priorities,” Cornejo said, adding that the company is transitioning all of its plants worldwide toward intelligent manufacturing.

Cornejo said productivity, labor stability, and Río Bravo’s manufacturing capabilities drove the company’s decision.

More advanced manufacturing moves to Río Bravo

The expansion strengthens Valeo’s “Brain” manufacturing division, which focuses on technology tied to artificial intelligence, automation, and increasingly automated manufacturing systems.

Among the technologies produced in Río Bravo are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, known as ADAS.

Those systems use cameras, radar, and sensors to help improve vehicle safety.

Cornejo said a project known as “Neurons” is helping expand Valeo’s manufacturing operations in Mexico through additional automation and production technology.

“Brain manufacturing is the integration of artificial intelligence, advanced robotics and data-derived technologies to create intelligent, autonomous and efficient manufacturing systems,” Cornejo explained.

Río Bravo operation gains larger role

Cornejo said Río Bravo’s operation closed 2025 with employee turnover near 3.8%.

Regional maquiladora averages range between 15% and 18%.

She said workforce stability, mobility advantages, and technical talent capable of supporting highly automated manufacturing systems strengthened Río Bravo’s position.

The Río Bravo facility employs nearly 2,000 workers and has expanded by more than 23,000 square meters.

Although Valeo continues keeping investment figures and projected job growth confidential, Cornejo said the Río Bravo operation could see an initial workforce increase of 10% to 15%.

Local production could increase by roughly one-fourth.

The transition will happen gradually and could continue through 2028 depending on trade conditions and the evolution of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Cornejo said Valeo currently has roughly 3,000 square meters available for future expansion.

“This demonstrates that Río Bravo is a strategic destination for industrial investment and that we have what it takes to integrate into global value chains,” Cornejo said.

She also said Río Bravo is developing a long-term industrial strategy focused on infrastructure, investment attraction, and strengthening economic ties with South Texas.

Read more: Río Bravo looks to grow by supporting, not competing with, its industrial neighbors