China would be far more likely than Europe. The business climate in Europe is similar to California's.
Really?? Do you have any idea the cost to Boeing of managing the Chinese manufacturing due to quality concerns??? That said...
Boeing has been in China market for more than 90 years and has been procuring aerospace parts for 737, 747, 767, 777, and the dreamliner 787. These include horizontal stabaliser, vertical rear spoiler, rear fusalage section, boarding door, wing panel, and other parts for 737; trailing edge fixings for 747, and aileron, spoiler board, and inside flap for the 747-8, etc. For the 787 dreamliner, Boeing is procuring from China its rudder, wing and fusalage fairing surfaces, rear spoiler, and composite parts.
Although Boeing does provide the figure for the procured value on a yearly basis, following facts and figures are an indicator of its commitment and size of operation:
Total procured value for the past three decades has been in excess of 1.5 billion US Dollars; The total value of new subcontracts signed for 737, 747-8 and 787 in 2007 was approximately five hundred million dollars; The total value of supply contracts and subcontractys with AVIC group companies has far exceeded 2.5 billion dollars; Boeing is by far the biggest buyer of aerospace parts in China. It also comprises approximately 53% of China's current fleet, in comparison to Airbus' 36%, and has become the main forces in China's passenger and cargo fleet. Forecast that in total 4330 new aircrafts, among which 3090 single aisle, 890 double aisle aircrafts, 70 super-jets, and 330 cargo jets will be delivered in China during the next 20 years;
Its tier one suppliers include: CAC, Chengdu Rudder for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Front boarding door for the new 737 (signed with Sprint in 2008) Emergency Exit for the new 737 (signed in 2008) Aileron and spoiler for 747-8 (exclusive, first delivery in 2009) Horizontal stabaliser and subcomponents (signed with Vought in 2007)
HAIC, Harbin Wing and fusalage fairings for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Vertical rear spoiler for 787 (signed in 2007)
AVIC Shanghai factory Horizontal stabalizer for the new 737 (signed in 1995 and has delivered 1400 aircrafts)
AVIC Shenyang Vertical rear spoiler front for 787 (exclusive, first delivery in 2007) Rear fusalage section for the new 737 (signed in 1996 and has delivered 400 aircrafts)
AVIC Xian Vertical rear spoiler for the new 737 (signed in 1995 and has delivered over 1200 aircrafts) Fixed trailing edge for the 747 (exclusive, delivered over 550 aircrafts) Inside flap for 747-8 (signed in 2007, first delivery in 2009) Flooring support and subcomponents for 747 converted cargo aircrafts.
As for Bama, as part of the US Tanker offer, Airbus were looking to build a few different aircraft there, A330 and A320 being but two. Given the Airbus Military sales strategy, they are looking to sell A330 MRTT for the KC-Y Tanker recapitalisation program, which requires something bigger than the Frankentanker Boeing build. I wouldn't be surprised if this is part of that strategy. Skilled workforce, cheap real estate and non unionised.. Not to mention the state assistance and initiatives offered by the good folks down south. All things considered, (Global demand, economic conditions, future sales strategies, cost of manufacture etc) Alabama makes pretty good sense as far as I can see.