Mexico has established itself as a key player in the automotive industry, being the world’s fourth-largest producer of automotive parts and the fourth-largest exporter of heavy vehicles, in addition to being the leader in tractor-trailer exports. However, the United States’ tariff policy has harmed the sector, prompting the National Agency of Automotive Suppliers (ANAPSA) to introduce a strengthening program for affiliated companies, seeking to improve their competitiveness and strengthen the industry.“The automotive sector strengthening program stems from the uncertainty we’ve been experiencing with the executive orders issued by U.S. President Donald Trump . Therefore, we have taken on the task of creating the automotive sector strengthening program for companies affiliated with these organizations,” said Alberto Bustamante, CEO of Anapsa.
The executive reported that the program seeks, among other objectives, to support the organization’s 5,000 member companies in improving their quality, increasing their supply chain, and diversifying their markets and expanding into 40 countries. It also aims to attract investment for new plants and production lines , as well as increase multilateral trade and job creation.
Pillars of the program
The program is based on four main pillars : market diversification, supplier location and linkage, investment attraction, and import substitution.
According to Anapsa, the aim of market diversification is to reduce dependence on the United States, a country that currently imports 80% of Mexican production, and therefore will seek to have 40 trade missions , which will be supported by the consulting firm How2Go (H2G) .
We will also seek to make better use of the trade agreements we have with 52 countries and increase the flow of trade.
The second pillar, which focuses on supplier location and business linkages, will strengthen relationships between affiliated companies and facilitate the identification of strategic suppliers.
Alberto Bustamante emphasized that the main objective is to bring companies closer together in two ways: first, by integrating those not yet part of the automotive sector, and second, by providing opportunities for those already in the industry to diversify their client portfolio.
In addition, they will be presented with strategic prospects to expand their business opportunities and strengthen their market position.
The third pillar is investment attraction , which seeks foreign capital  to promote manufacturing and sales in Mexico through various strategies, such as leveraging relationships with embassies and chambers of commerce to facilitate the generation of opportunities and strengthen international ties.
In addition, there is support from the federal government through Plan Mexico, a comprehensive economic strengthening program that seeks to promote market diversification and increase the value of national content.
The fourth and final pillar focuses on import substitution , with the aim of strengthening the domestic market and encouraging the purchase of local products. To this end, purchasing from companies affiliated with chambers of commerce and strategic organizations will be prioritized.
This pillar focuses on countries with which Mexico maintains free trade agreements, leveraging the benefits of these agreements to increase the competitiveness of local companies. Additionally, the goal is to increase the value of domestic content by 10% to 15% , promoting greater participation of Mexican industry in the global market.
Signing of agreements
Anapsa highlighted its agreement with H2G, which seeks to strengthen the international expansion of national automotive companies and place them on the map in foreign markets.
Through this alliance, we will work to identify new business and investment opportunities internationally, as well as to design entry and commercial positioning strategies that will allow Mexican companies to consolidate their presence abroad.
At the event, which was attended by Jorge Ayala , president of the Mexican Association of Mold and Die Manufacturers (AMMMT) , Ayin Decer , country manager of How2Go, and others, Alberto Bustamante signed an agreement with Miguel Ruiz , president of the Mexico-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (Camebra).
Comment and follow us on X: @miroslavacs / @GrupoT21
