The Mexican automotive industry showed mixed signs during May 2026 : while light vehicle production registered a drop, exports grew due to demand from the US market, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) announced .

According to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL), in the fifth month of the year 342,926 units were produced  in automotive plants installed in Mexico, 3.7% less than in the same month of 2025.

Meanwhile, in the first five months of 2026, 1,642,083 cars were manufactured, representing a drop of 0.09% compared to the same period last year.

The report noted that the sector’s production structure continued to be dominated by  light trucks , which accounted for 80% of total production in the January-May period, while the remainder corresponded to automobiles.

In January-May 2026, Stellantis  was one of the brands that showed good performance in terms of its manufacturing with an increase of 37% over the same period in 2025. It was followed by Volkswagen with an increase of 34 percent.

Exports rebound

Last May, exports totaled 306,288 units , which represented an increase of 1.7% compared to the same month in 2025.

Meanwhile, in the January-May period of this year, 1,388,236 light vehicles were shipped abroad , an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year.

The main destination for vehicles assembled in Mexico continues to be the United States , a market that accounted for 75.4% of international shipments.

Volkswagen and Stellantis were the brands with the largest increases in their exports, with increases of 61% and 45.1% year-on-year, respectively, during the first five months of 2026.

Data from last May shows an industry that maintains its export capacity, although it faces adjustments in its production.

Factors such as changes in vehicle electrification and the reorganization of supply chains influence the performance of the automotive sector, which is one of Mexico’s manufacturing pillars.

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Vehicle production in Mexico totaled 343,520 units in March 2026, representing a 2.5% increase compared to the same month in 2025, when 335,065 cars were manufactured, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) reported this Thursday .

In turn, in the period January-March 2026,  969,294 cars were manufactured , a growth of 0.5% compared to the same cycle of the previous year, according to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL).

In total,  light trucks accounted for 80%  of the total produced , with 775,717 units; the remainder corresponded to automobiles.

In the first quarter, the brands that stood out in their production in Mexican plants were Volkswagen with an increase of 53.8%, adding 99,706 units compared to 64,830 in the same cycle of 2025.

Honda also showed good results in terms of its manufacturing with an increase of 12.7% in the January-March period of 2026, totaling 45,555 units over the 40,404 vehicles produced in the same period last year.

Similarly,  KIA recorded positive figures in its production with an increase of 11.3%, adding 76,300 units in the first quarter of the year compared to the same cycle in 2025, when it manufactured 68,560 vehicles.

Exports accelerate

Exports also registered positive figures during March 2026. In this regard,  the shipment abroad of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico was 310,205 units, which meant a growth of 4.2%  compared to the same month of 2025.

Meanwhile, 795,631 vehicles were exported between January and March of this year, a 2.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The United States was the main destination for light vehicle exports, accounting for 75.8%, or 602,887 units. Canada followed  with 97,801 vehicles, representing 12.3% of exports.

Among the brands that registered the highest exports during the first quarter were Volkswagen, with a 70.7% increase compared to the same period in 2015, totaling 81,535 units. Kia also saw a significant increase, with 13%, shipping 58,679 vehicles abroad. General Motors showed a 4.7% increase, totaling 195,214 exported units.

With these results, the Mexican automotive industry is beginning to show signs of recovery after a challenging 2025, framed by a complicated trade environment with tariff increases and restrictive measures by the United States.

Despite this, the United States remains the main buyer of cars manufactured in Mexico , with Canada in second place, reflecting the trade integration between the three countries that make up the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

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Amid uncertainty over US tariff policy, vehicle production in Mexico, as well as exports, slowed down during 2025 compared to 2024, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) announced this Friday .

During the period January-December of last year, three million 953 thousand 494 units were produced , which represented a decrease of 0.9% compared to the same cycle of 2024, when three million 989 thousand 483 vehicles were manufactured, according to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL).

During that period, light trucks accounted for 77.2%, with  3,052,163 units manufactured in Mexican plants ; the remainder (22.8%) corresponded to the production of automobiles, with 901,331 units.

When reviewing the brands with the highest growth, in 2025, Toyota stood out in its production with an increase of 26.6%, adding 310,152 units compared to 245,007 in 2024.

Ford followed  , with a 7.9% increase, reaching 417,280 units manufactured last year. KIA registered a 6.4%  increase   in the 2025 cumulative total, with 288,100 vehicles produced.

Meanwhile, in December 2025, car manufacturing in Mexico was 243,961 units , an increase of 8.5% compared to the same month in 2024, when 224,943 vehicles were manufactured.

Exports decline

Vehicle exports suffered from the tariff effects imposed by the United States, as shipments of units manufactured in Mexico abroad fell 2.7% compared to 2024, with three million 385 thousand 785 vehicles.

In January-December of last year,  the United States was the main destination for light vehicle exports, with 78.4%, or 2,653,897 units; followed by Canada , with 376,251 units, which represented 11.1% of shipments abroad.

Among the brands that registered the highest exports during 2025 were Toyota, with a 30.1% increase compared to 2024, totaling 318,812 vehicles. Ford followed, with an 11.4% increase, exporting 423,283 cars, and KIA, with a 5.4% increase, totaling 217,440 exported cars.

In the last month of 2025, vehicle exports totaled 227,262 cars , a decrease of 14.5% compared to 2024, when 265,954 units were shipped abroad.

The decline recorded in 2025 in terms of vehicle production and exports shows an adjustment of both indicators in a context marked by trade uncertainty, changes in demand and consumption, as well as the protectionist policy of the United States, which has moved the conditions of world trade.

It also reflects a less dynamic end to 2025 compared to the performance that the Mexican automotive industry maintained in 2024.

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The Mexican automotive industry continues to plummet , as both production and unit exports registered negative figures in their annual measurement during September 2025, partly due to the uncertainty generated by the United States tariff policy, according to the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .

In the reference month, automobile manufacturing in Mexico was 355,525 units , a 6.1% drop compared to the same month in 2024, when 378,583 cars were manufactured, according to the  Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

In the first nine months of 2025, 3,021,554 units were produced  , representing a 0.3% decrease compared to the same period last year.

During that period, light trucks accounted for 77.2% of total production, with 2,331,862 units, while the remainder was automobiles.

Year-to-date, Toyota  saw production grow 35.3%, totaling 236,234 units.  Kia followed  with an 8.5% increase,  Ford  with 5.1%, and  Nissan  with a 1.9% increase.

Exports fall into a slump

In September 2025, exports of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico totaled 314,656 units , representing a 0.3% decline at an annual rate, following three annual increases.

In the January-September period, shipments abroad fell  0.9% , with two million 567 thousand 172 vehicles exported.

The United States remained the leading buyer of Mexican-made cars during the period, with 2,022,867 units , representing a 78.8 percent share.  Canada followed with 289,166 cars, representing 11.3 percent of shipments abroad.

Among the brands with the most exports in the first nine months of the year were Toyota, with a 36.1% increase over the same period in 2024. Ford followed with an 8.1% increase, and KIA with an 8% increase.

The figures released by Inegi this Tuesday show negative results for the Mexican automotive industry, a situation that, according to analysts, will persist for the remainder of the year, and whose outlook looks set to worsen, since the president of the United States, Donald Trump , announced on his Truth Social account  , that as of November 1, 2025, a 25% tariff  will come into effect   for all  medium and heavy trucks  imported from other countries.

This measure has rekindled concerns in Mexico, where most of the production and export of heavy vehicles to the North American market is concentrated.

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Light vehicle production in Mexico in August 2025 showed negative figures, while unit exports accelerated in their annual measurement, despite uncertainty over tariffs in the United States, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .

In the eighth month of the year, automobile manufacturing in Mexico totaled 349,856 units , representing a 0.8% drop compared to the same month in 2024, when 352,615 cars were manufactured, according to the Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

Meanwhile, in the first eight months of 2025, 2,666,029 units were produced , an increase of just 0.5% compared to the same period last year.

Of the total manufactured between January and August of this year, light trucks accounted for  77.2% , with  2,058,105 units ; the remainder was automobile production, with  607,924 vehicles .

Toyota showed a 40.5% growth in its production, adding 210,737 units compared to 149,955 in the same period in 2024. It was followed by KIA , with an increase of 9.2%, Ford with 6.3% and General Motors with a rise of 1.8% in the accumulated year.

Exports accelerate

Exports of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico in August 2025 totaled  296,796 units , an annual increase of  1.41%  ; however, in the January-August period, shipments abroad fell  1.02% , with 2,252,578 vehicles exported.

The United States remained the leading buyer of Mexican-made cars during the period, with 1,779,044 units , representing a 79 percent share. Canada followed with 250,822 cars, representing 11.1 percent of shipments abroad.

Among the brands with the most exports in the first eight months of the year are Toyota, with a  40.8% increase  over the same period in 2024. It was followed by Ford with a  9.7% increase , and KIA with a  9.5% increase .

On September 4, INEGI reported that light vehicle sales in Mexico reached 124,167 units in August, a 3% annual drop. This figure was later adjusted to 124,180 vehicles, reflecting the same variation.

Figures released by INEGI on Tuesday show mixed results in terms of production—which fell after two consecutive annual increases—and vehicle exports, stemming from the protectionist policies of the United States. The country remains the main buyer of cars manufactured in Mexico, despite the fact that Donald Trump, President of the United States, has expressed his rejection of Mexican-made cars.

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Light vehicle production during July 2025 totaled 309,453 units , which represented an increase of 2.4% compared to the same month in 2024, when 302,309 cars were manufactured, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) announced this Thursday .

Meanwhile, in the period from January to July,  two million 316 thousand 173 vehicles were produced , which represented an increase of 0.7% compared to the same period last year, according to the Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

Of the total manufactured in the first seven months of 2025, light trucks accounted for  77.1% , with  1,786,440 units ; the remainder was automobile production, with  529,733 vehicles .

Toyota  excelled in its domestic production during that period, with a  48.4% increase , adding 183,163 units compared to 123,455 during the same period last year.

JAC followed  , with a 22.6% increase to 17,361 units manufactured in the aforementioned cycle. KIA registered an 11.5%  increase   for the year to date, with 161,680 vehicles.

Exports grow in July; cumulative exports decline

In July 2025, exports of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico totaled  289,598 units , an annual increase of 7.9% ; however, in the January-July period , shipments abroad fell 1.38% , with 1,955,782   vehicles exported.

During this period,  the United States  was the main destination for light vehicle exports, accounting for  79.3%  of total exports, reaching  1,550,072 units . Canada followed  with 213,758 vehicles , representing 10.9% of all exports.

The United States remains the main buyer of Mexican-made vehicles, although US President Donald Trump has stated on several occasions that he does not want cars manufactured in Mexico.

Among the brands that registered the most exports in the first seven months of the year were Toyota, with a 50.6% increase  over the same period in 2024. It was followed by KIA, with an increase of  12.6% , and  Ford  with an increase of  8 percent .

According to the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) , the Mexican automotive industry represents nearly 4% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 20.5% of its manufacturing GDP. July figures show signs of a slight recovery in this sector, which has been one of the hardest hit by U.S. tariff policies.

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Changes to tariff policies around the world have had an impact on the Mexican automotive industry, whose production in May 2025 reached 358,209 units , a decrease of 2.03% compared to the same month in 2024, when 365,644 vehicles were manufactured, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , published this Monday.

From January to May of this year, one million 645 thousand 673 automobiles were manufactured  , which represented a reduction of 0.5%  compared to the same period in 2024, according to the  Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

According to the report, of the total manufactured in the first five months of 2025, light trucks represented  76.6% , with  1,259,982 units , while the remainder corresponded to automobile production, with  385,691 cars .

During the period, Toyota  stood out in its domestic production with a  63.4%  increase , adding  133,174 units  compared to  81,522  in the same period last year.

KIA follows with a 13.8%  increase  year-to-date with  117,110 units  compared to the 102,950  cars  produced in the same cycle in 2024.

Car exports also decrease

In May 2025, exports of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico amounted to  301,112 units , representing a  2.88%  annual drop.

In the year-to-date, shipments abroad also showed a decrease of  6.28% , with  1,334,667 cars exported , compared to  1,424,088  in the same period in 2024.

In January-May 2025,  the United States  was the main destination for light vehicle exports, with  80.9%  reaching 1,079,690 units , followed by  Canada  with  136,028  cars , which represented  10.2%  of shipments abroad.

Among the brands that registered the most exports in the year-to-date are Toyota, with a 72% increase  over the same period in 2024. It is followed by KIA with a  14% increase , and Ford with a 7.2% increase .

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements that he does not want cars manufactured in Mexico, the United States remains the largest buyer of Mexican-made vehicles.

In this context, Mexico’s automotive industry has been affected by its northern neighbor’s tariff policy, which has led to a decline in automobile exports and manufacturing figures last May.

There have even been repercussions in the domestic market, as vehicle sales have also declined. In the fifth month of the year, 119,959 units were sold , representing a 0.4% annual decline , marking the second month with negative figures for vehicle sales in Mexico.

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Amid uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy, vehicle production in Mexico reached 326,069 units in April 2025, a 9.07% drop compared to the same month in 2024, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported Friday .

From January to April of this year , one million 299 thousand 554 automobiles were manufactured , which represented a variation of 0.9% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

Of the total manufactured in the first four months of 2025, light trucks accounted for 76.6% , with  995,144 units , while the remainder corresponded to automobile production, with  304,410 cars .

Toyota  excelled in its domestic production during the reference period, with an  82.9% increase to  105,720 units compared to  57,790  in the same cycle in 2024.

KIA  also showed good results in terms of its manufacturing, with a  15.6% increase  in the first four months of 2025 with  91,810 units  compared to the  79,450  cars  produced in the same period last year.

Likewise, Ford had positive numbers in its production, with a rise of 10.2% reaching 141,237 units in January-April 2025 compared to the first four months of 2024, when it manufactured 128,188 vehicles .

Exports down

Exports of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico during April 2025 amounted to  256,953 units , representing a 10.88%  annual drop.

Year-to-date, shipments abroad also showed a decrease of  7.29% , with 1,032,819 cars exported , compared to 1,114,037  in the same period in 2024.

In January-April 2025,  the United States  was the main destination for light vehicle exports, with  81.4%  reaching  840,790 units , followed by  Canada  with  97,280  cars , which represented  9.4%  of shipments abroad.

Among the brands that registered the highest exports in the first four months of this year were Toyota, with an  87.8% increase over the same period in 2024, reaching 101,928 vehicles. KIA followed, with a 13.7% increase, exporting 67,730 cars abroad , and Ford, with a 7.2% increase , exporting 134,204 vehicles during the same period.

The United States remains the main buyer of vehicles manufactured in Mexico, despite the fact that US President Donald Trump has reiterated that he does not want cars manufactured in Mexico in his northern neighbor.

It’s worth remembering that a 25% tariff has been applied to imported cars from the United States since April 3rd , affecting Mexico and Canada, its main North American trading partners. However, Trump himself established some measures for vehicle manufacturers to ease the tariff burden, such as providing automakers with credits for up to  15% of the value of cars assembled in the United States.

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According to information from the  Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) , 317,178 cars were produced in February of this year , which meant a decrease of 0.83% compared to the same month in 2024.

Of the total manufactured in the first two months of the year, light trucks represented 75% , with 472,361 units , while the rest corresponded to the manufacture of automobiles, with 157,074 cars .

During this period, Toyota stood out in its national production, with an increase of 153.6% to reach 51,185 units against 20,180 in the same period in 2024.

KIA also posted good results in terms of manufacturing, with a 28.9%increase in the first two months with 45,810 units compared to the 35,550cars produced in the same period last year.

Vehicle exports on the decline

Inegi also announced that the export of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico during the first two months of 2025 was 478,366 units , which represented a decrease of 11.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

Among the brands that registered the highest exports in the first two months of this year are  Toyota , with an increase of  207.1% over the same period in 2024. KIA  follows  with an increase of  25.1% , according to Inegi.

According to Inegi figures, in the first two months of 2025 there was an increase in the production of light vehicles, while exports decreased.

These data come after threats of 25% tariffs on various Mexican products , including those from the automotive industry, by Donald Trump , President of the United States, who on March 6 paused said tax on goods that are within the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) until April 2.

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From January to November 2024, the export of light vehicles manufactured in Mexico was three million 213 thousand 132 units, which represented an increase of 6.5% compared to the same period in 2023, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) announced this Friday .

According to information from the  Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) , in November of this year alone, 289,309 automobiles were sent abroad  , which meant an increase of 2.85% over the same month last year.

The brands that registered the highest exports in the first 11 months of the year were  Honda , with an increase of  52.4% compared to the same period last year. Nissan  followed   with an increase in its shipments of 26.8% , and General Motors with an increase of 17.6% in that period.

Automotive production

Inegi also announced that the  production of light vehicles reached 3,764,490 units in the period January-November 2024, which represented an increase of 5.65% compared to the same period in 2023. At an annual rate, car manufacturing had a variation of 6.74% with 351,535 units assembled last November.

Of the total manufactured in the first 11 months of the year,  76.1% corresponded to  light trucks , which meant two million 866 thousand 239 units produced, while automobile manufacturing accumulated 23.9% in that period with 898 thousand 251 cars.

With an increase of  22.4%  from January to November of this year,  General Motors  stood out in its national production compared to the same period in 2023, while Honda reported an increase of  17.9%  in that period, and Volkswagen of 10.5 percent .

With these figures, both exports and production of the Mexican automotive industry are making progress in recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

Thus, the shipment of light vehicles abroad added four months of growth and this November was ranked as the eleventh best month compared to November 2022 and 2023.

Meanwhile, light automobile manufacturing in Mexico recorded its eighth consecutive increase and the eleventh month of 2024 has had the best performance for a November in the last three years.

It should be remembered that on November 5, the  decree regulating the definitive importation of used vehicles came into force , which was published by the  Ministry of Economy  in the  Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) .

In response, the  Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors (AMDA)  stated that this decree “is the appropriate mechanism to have a legal and orderly trade in used units,” although it also called on the federal government to end the regularization of imported used vehicles, colloquially known as “chocolate cars,” which was until September 30, 2026 , which affects this industry.

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