- Japanese carmakers are increasing their industrial presence in North America in order to offset the strong yen and catch-up production lost after the earthquake of 2011 in Japan.

- Over the next three years, three new plants will be built in Mexico (Mazda, Nissan, Honda), while two other sites in the United States will be expanded (Subaru, Mitsubishi).

- This wave of expansion, the largest since 2000-2003, focuses on increasing the capacities of plants  building small cars or luxury cars. In the past 2000-2003 wave, carmakers had focused their expansion on manufacture of SUV and pick-up.

- Furthermore, additional capacities are now set up primarily in Mexico, while the United States and Canada were privileged before 2003.