Sorry this post will be a little off topic, but it's to small for an separate thread. And this is the most appropriate place.Airbus (sister company of Astrium, EADS is the parent company for both) posted the following press release on their website:Airbus to establish assembly line in United Stateshttp://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/airbus-to-establish-assembly-line-in-united-states/I think the that Astrium's collaboration with ATK on Liberty was one of the driving factors towards this decision by Airbus. Astrium stated that when the demand for the Liberty upper stage would be high enough, they would start an production facility in the US.I think that EADS pushed Airbus a little but toward an assembly line in the US to prove their wingless to do the same for Astrium.I know this wasn't the only factor towards this step by Airbus. They needed a fourth assembly line for their A320s because of the high demand. And i think that a production facility in the US would most likely benefit the sales there. (And it is nice for bullying Boeing )