BMRIC?

Mexico

Most of the Mexico-related headlines in the U.S. are negative, focusing on violence committed by drug cartels and illegal immigration. But the country’s economy grew by 5% in 2010 after contracting by 6.1% in 2009. It’s the sixth-largest oil producer in the world and a strong manufacturing exporter (autos and electronics) mostly to the U.S. 

Is it BRIC-worthy? It is. Free trade agreements have turned Mexico into a player. The country relies heavily on exports and has agreements in place with more than 40 countries, with NAFTA giving it the biggest boost.

Industry that deserves special attention: Automobile. Conventional wisdom says that NAFTA drove auto manufacturers there for the cheap labor in the 1990s, but the Big Three have actually had a presence in Mexico since the 1930s. Try to think of a big auto name that doesn’t have facilities there. Honda, Toyota, Mercedes, Nissan, Volkswagen, and BMW have all moved manufacturing to Mexico, and that brought parts suppliers and research and development departments as well.

Mint