Automaker questions plant in Mexico

Munich Ta-ta-ta-taaaa. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth was played in the marquee. Ironically, the Fate Symphony served Mercedes-Benz and Nissan as the musical accompaniment for their prestige project. On this day in late summer 2015, the two car manufacturers carted an entire orchestra to central Mexico to spice up the laying of the foundation stone for their joint work. 400 guests of honor came; significant plans were announced.

At the time, the partners said they would invest a good 900 million euros in Aguascalientes, build more than 230,000 vehicles a year and create up to 5,700 new jobs. Three women in dirndls, kimonos and traditional Mexican dresses waved the appropriate national flags. Eleven men smiled in competition on stage. The success of the project seemed certain.