decided to eliminate them from consideration. After some preliminary discussions with the central banks of Mexico, Venezuela. and Chile, the CFO has learned that all three countries would be interested in hearing a detailed presentation about the type of facility Detroit Motors would construct, how long it would take, the number of locals that would be employed, and the number of units that would be manufactured per year. Since it is time-consuming to prepare and make these presentations, the CFO would like to approach the most attractive candidate first. He has learned that the central bank of Mexico will redeem its debt at 80 percent of face value in a debt-forequity swap, Venezuela at 75 percent, and Chile 100 percent. As a rst step, the CFO decides an analysis based purely on nancial considerations is necessary to determine which country looks like the most viable candidate. You are asked to assist in the analysis. What do you advise? Suggested Solution for Detroit Motors' Latin American Expansion Regardless in which LDC Detroit Motors establishes the new facility, it will need $65,000,000 in the local currency of the country to build the plant. The analysis involves a comparison of the dollar cost of enough LDC debt from a creditor bank to provide $65,000,000 in local currency upon redemption with the LDC central bank. If Detroit Motors builds in Mexico, it will need to purchase $81,250,000 (= $65,000.000L80) in Mexican sovereign debt in order to have $65,000,000 in pesos after redemption with the Mexican central bank. The cost in dollars will be $35,035,000 (= $81,250,000 x .4312). If Detroit Motors builds in Venezuela, it will need to purchase $86,666,667 (= $65,000,000L75) in Venezuelan sovereign debt in order to have $65,000,000 in bolivars after redemption with the Venezuelan central bank. The cost in dollars will be $40,083,333 (= $86,666,667 x .4625). If Detroit Motors builds in Chile. it will need to purchase $65,000,000 (= $65,000,000!1.00) in Chilean sovereign debt in order to have $65,000,000 in pesos after redemption with the Chilean central bank. The cost in dollars will be $45,662,500 (= $65,000,000 x .7025). Based on the above analysis, Detroit Motors should consider approaching Mexico about the possibility of a debt-for-equity swap to build an assembly facility. Of course, there are many other factors, such as tax rates, shipping costs, and labor costs that also should be considered. Assuming all else is equal, however, Mexico seems to be the most attractive candidate