Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page A-6)

The advantages of the Central Texas region have already attracted automotive suppliers to the area that benefit from Toyota and GM manufacturing facilities there. TASUS Corporation, which makes value-added components and supplies the Toyota manufacturing plant in San Antonio, recently located a new facility in Georgetown, TX just 25 miles north of downtown Austin. But traditional manufacturing is only one part of the automotive industry in Austin. Greater Austin is a leader in providing the digital technologies that are increasingly vital to manufacturing modern automobiles. Freescale, an Austin-based semiconductor manufacturer, is the world’s leading semiconductor provider for the automotive industry. CEO Michel Mayer explains that “Austin has an appealing environment for the innovators we need at Freescale.” Today’s cars are increasingly complex computer-controlled machines, with several microprocessors in each new vehicle. The cost of electronics and software in a vehicle is already 20% to 40% of the cost of the vehi- appealing environment for the innovators we need at Freescale. —Michel Mayer, CEO, Freescale “ Austin has an ” cle, and it continues to increase. The need for a steady domestic supply of these high-tech components is accelerating, and the Austin metropolitan area is home to many companies that are producing these sophisti- cated components, including Freescale, which produces the widely used PowerPC Chip; IBM, which produces voice recognition software for GM’s OnStar; and Venkel, a leading supplier of surface mount passive components used in automotive electronics. The next stage for the automotive industry will see even greater electrification, particularly as electric vehicles (EVs) grow in popularity. EVs are a perfect marriage of Austin’s leadership in high-tech manufacturing and clean energy technology. The semiconductor industry will drive EV technology, and Austin has long been a hub for semiconductors. Automotive News’ Lindsay Chappell observes that “as cars become smarter and require more software and hardware, Austin and Silicon Valley are the two regions in the U.S. that will emerge as the leaders.” SERIOUS AUTOMOTIVE MONEY IS RIDING ON SAN ANTONIO. Be Part of the Action. Sure, it was big news back when Toyota announced that it was building an $850 million truck plant in San Antonio. But for parts manufacturers, the big story is happening right now. Twenty-one major Toyota suppliers have moved here. They’ve committed $300 million. And they’ve moved into an exclusive on-site industrial park. Best of all, there’s plenty of room left in San Antonio for other manufacturers who want to be part of the action. Want to discover the productive labor force of over 900,000, the low cost of living and the high quality of life that attracted Toyota in the first place? Give us a call and reserve your space. San Antonio Economic Development Foundation • P.O. Box 1628 • San Antonio, TX 78296 Visit www.sanantonioedf.com or ask for a free DVD. E-mail: edf@sanantonioedf.com • Toll-free: 1-800-552-3333 • Local: 210-226-1394 • FAX: 210-223-3386 ©2008 SA Economic Development Foundation #3707 at www.BusinessFacilities.com A-6 A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S A N D WA R D ’ S A U T O W O R L D http://www.sanantonioedf.com http://www.sanantonioedf.com http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

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Business Facilites - February 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Texas Capturing the Creative Class Green with Energy Automotive Opportunities in a Green Economy Corporate Moves: Wyoming Metro Spotlight: Overland Park, KS Metro Spotlight: Long Island, NY Get Ahead in Alabama Indiana: Sending Tech Messages How to Successfully Negotiate a Lease in Today's Real Estate Environment Legislation Spurring Innovation in Kentucky New Center will Propel Ontario's Automotive Future Virginia's Vital Signs Eating Well in the North of France Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - February 2008

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