6 reasons why Ford and other international firms are investing in Mexico

The announcement of Ford’s decision to build a new plant in Mexico created a political firestorm this month, yet it forged ahead anyway.

The automaker has been in the political spotlight from the left and right since last summer when it said it planned to move production of the Ford Focus from Michigan outside of the U.S. by 2018.

The reaction on Tuesday was swift and predictable after Ford said it would invest $1.6 billion to build a new plant in Mexico on the day voters headed to the Wisconsin polls in a heated presidential primary.

Ford — which says it wants to increase profit on small cars — was undeterred.

Read more: 6 reasons why Ford and other international firms are investing in Mexico