The Rio South Texas Region Binational Automotive Cluster Is Born

A cross-border alliance shaping the future of mobility

The Rio South Texas Region Binational Automotive Cluster is Born, a strategic initiative that brings together companies, universities, and economic development organizations from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. This collaborative platform—led by COSTEP (Council for South Texas Economic Progress)—aims to position the region as a global hub for innovation, investment, and talent in the automotive industry.

With more than 140 automotive companies across the region—many of them direct suppliers to brands such as Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Stellantis, and General Motors. The Rio South Texas Region Binational Automotive Cluster builds on over six decades of industrial experience. Cities involved include Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, Pharr, Mission, Weslaco, Donna, Edinburg, and key manufacturing hubs in Reynosa, Matamoros, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and Nuevo Laredo.

According to Adam González, The Rio South Texas Region Binational Automotive Cluster will be a key tool in positioning the Rio South Texas Region as a strategic player on the global automotive scene:

“Our goal is clear: to promote the region as a world-class binational hub. To achieve this, we will work to promote our capabilities, attend global trade shows, forge alliances with other international clusters, and attract high-value investments.”

COSTEP’s agenda includes concrete actions such as:

Participation in national and international automotive forums.

Establishment of collaboration agreements with clusters in Mexico, the United States, and Europe.

Dissemination of regional capabilities through studies, industry maps, and supplier catalogs.

Active promotion of local talent and binational training programs.

The cluster will work to:

• Promote the region’s capabilities at global trade shows
• Align education and industry to strengthen the workforce
• Forge international partnerships with other automotive clusters
• Attract high-value investments for next-gen mobility

The announcement, made in McAllen, Texas by Adam González, CEO of COSTEP, was attended by key industry leaders and development officials from both countries. Notable attendees included:

• Humberto Martínez (President, INDEX Nacional)
• Elisa Crespo (Executive President, Metropolitan Automotive Cluster)
• Guillermo Fernández de Jauregui (President, CODEIN)
• Raudel Garza (Executive Director, Edinburg EDC)
• Ralph García (COO, McAllen EDC)
• Orlando Campos (CEO, Harlingen EDC)
• April Castaneda (Executive Director, Donna EDC)
• Rose Benavidez (President, Starr County Industrial Foundation)
• Teclo García (CEO, Mission EDC)
• Jorge Lozano (Weslaco EDC)
• Victor Perez (CEO, Pharr EDC)
• Daniel Rivera (Executive Director, Elsa EDC)
• Ivan González (CEO, Alton EDC)
• Alejandro Barrera (Director, Roma EDC)
• Randy Perez (Director, Hidalgo EDC)
• Griselda Muñoz (Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation)
• Rene Gonzalez (President, CODEM)
• Guillermo Lash (VP, CANACINTRA Maquiladora and Border Region)
• Alfredo Guajardo (President, INDEX Reynosa)
• Martin Anzaldúa (Director, Grupo Río San Juan)
• Guillermo Rico Leal (Business Development Director, Port of Brownsville)
• Sergio Gracia (President, Mexico Industry)
• Abraham Guerra (President, IDL)
• Jesús Cano (Deputy Consul of Mexico in McAllen)
• Iliana García (Representative, CONERR)
• Eduardo Pol (Managing Partner, O&P Tax Group)
• Francisco Almaraz (Executive Director, Workforce Solutions)
• Maricarmen Cadena (CRE)
• Luis Cantú (President, COBIFER)
• Marisol Chávez & Jose Vela (South Texas College)
• Jim Darling (Board Member, COSTEP)
• Gloria Gracia (Sales Director, Protexas Industry)
• Carlos Fernández de Jauregui (Onilog Group)
• Eduardo Garza (G Pinter)
• Roberto González (Texas Border Business)
• Oscar Macario (President, CANACINTRA Matamoros)
• Carlos Margo (Dean for Industry Training and Economic Development, South Texas College)
• Paola Nassari Pratto Marrero (Onilog Group)

By formally organizing a previously fragmented yet powerful manufacturing corridor, the Binational Automotive Cluster offers a unique opportunity for shared growth, innovation, and competitiveness.

This milestone proves that Rio South Texas Region Works for You—by building bridges, creating jobs, and driving the future of mobility from the heart of North America.