Nissan Shuts Down Mexican Plant That Built Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz SUVs
The car industry has no room for sentiment. When the numbers in Excel no longer add up, even the most promising factory can find its doors locked. That’s exactly what Nissan has done, pulling the plug on production at its joint facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico, where the Infiniti QX50 and QX55, along with the Mercedes-Benz GLB, were born.
The plant was established in 2015 as a joint venture between Nissan Motor Co. and Daimler, then the parent company of Mercedes-Benz. Production began in 2017 amid talk of friendship and premium ambitions. Eight years later, it ends quietly, almost apologetically. Infiniti’s SUVs will cease production this year, while the Mercedes-Benz GLB will roll off the line only until May 2026.
Some assembly lines will stop as early as November. The exact shutdown schedule depends on remaining orders and parts inventories, but the outcome is certain.
The Infiniti crossovers were aimed mainly at the US market, where sales have been in freefall. Back in 2019, the QX50 was hailed as one of the brand’s brightest hopes. Today, luxury buyers are looking elsewhere, lured by new electric and hybrid arrivals.
Mercedes-Benz also confirmed it sees no reason to keep Mexican production alive beyond market demand. Once the GLB’s life cycle ends, the company plans to shift production to more efficient facilities.
The closure is part of Nissan’s broader “Re:Nissan” strategy, aimed at cutting excess capacity and ending unprofitable projects. Earlier this year, the company expected a loss of about 100 billion yen (650 million dollars, or roughly 605 million euros). Now it forecasts a profit of 50 billion yen, around 300 million euros. Cost-cutting works, though it leaves thousands of Mexican workers facing uncertainty.
The Aguascalientes story is a small reflection of how the luxury car market is changing. Buyers are no longer dazzled by engines alone. They value efficiency, software, and sustainability. In the world of premium cars, battery life now matters more than the stitching of leather seats.
When Nissan and Mercedes launched their joint plant, it symbolised the promise of synergy and shared strength. Today, the same venture serves as a reminder that even big names can’t defy economic gravity. The quiet closure of Aguascalientes echoes like a faint metallic note from an era when the SUV was king and electric cars were still toys.
