At least 55 companies were trained and 20 companies accessed specialized consulting services to obtain international certifications as a result of a meeting that connected Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with global automotive supply chains under the guidelines of the Mexico Plan .

This program is a model based on the demand of large companies in the automotive industry and was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy (SE) and with the support of Nacional Financiera (Nafin) – Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior (Bancomext) .

The meeting aimed to present the progress of the first generation of companies participating in this initiative, which is geared towards strengthening the national supply chain of the automotive sector .

“With the goal of fostering a stronger, more resilient and competitive supply network in Mexico and North America, the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , in coordination with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group , participated in the Demo Day of the Supplier Development Program Plan Mexico-IFC-INA,” a statement said.

Vidal Llerenas Morales, Undersecretary of Industry and Commerce at the Ministry of Economy, emphasized that the auto parts industry is one of the sectors with the highest national content in Mexican manufacturing , a result of years of regional productive integration.

Therefore, he said, it is crucial to strengthen technical and financial support so that more Mexican companies can integrate into regional supply chains.

“The success we have had with this program encourages us to replicate it in other strategic sectors and contribute to greater shared prosperity in North America,” he emphasized.

Francisco González, CEO of INA, emphasized that strengthening local suppliers is a strategic priority for the Mexican economy and added that the automotive industry has consolidated itself as one of the central players in global manufacturing.

“We are the world’s fourth largest producer and exporter of auto parts, as well as the main supplier to the United States, with an industrial ecosystem that generates hundreds of thousands of jobs and plays a decisive role in regional trade,” he emphasized.

For her part, Sanaa Abouzaid, regional director for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic at the IFC of the World Bank Group, stated that “this program turns the potential of Mexican SMEs into real business opportunities.”

“By closing technical, operational, and commercial gaps, we help more local companies integrate into global value chains , generate quality employment, and foster a more competitive automotive industry, contributing to the guidelines of the Mexico Plan. By the second half of 2026, the IFC will seek to integrate an additional 50 SMEs, benefiting more than 100 Mexican companies,” Sanaa Abouzaid pointed out.

According to figures from the INA, the auto parts sector in Mexico showed signs of resilience and recovery at the close of 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 3.24% in November, which translated into a production of nine billion 877 million dollars (mdd) .

Meanwhile, from January to November 2025, the national production of auto parts reached a value of 110,038 million dollars , which represented a contraction of 2.86% compared to the same period in 2024, in line with the slowdown observed in the United States automotive market.

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The National Auto Parts Industry (INA) highlighted the importance of strengthening the productive integration of the North American region , preserving stable trade rules, and ensuring conditions of certainty for investment, after the United States Supreme Court determined that Donald Trump, President of the United States, does not have the power to establish tariffs by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), thus nullifying most of the generalized tariffs that the White House occupant has promoted in his second term.

Widespread trade measures, such as the tariffs imposed by the northern neighbor, tend to generate cascading effects throughout the value chain, particularly in a sector where logistical synchronization and cross-border efficiency are crucial , the INA stressed in a statement.

It is worth remembering that after the US Supreme Court ruling, Trump announced the imposition of a new global tariff of 10%, which later rose to 15% , based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and anticipated the potential use of other tools such as section 232 (steel, aluminum, automobiles and auto parts), and 301 (products originating in China).

According to the Association of Logistics & Forwarding Agents (ALFA) , the tariffs established under the IEEPA law will no longer apply starting February 24. ALFA noted that there are still no official rules on how or when refunds would be issued, if applicable, and added that sections 232 and 301 remain unchanged in normal customs operations.

The INA stated that in the automotive industry, the lack of certainty not only raises costs, but also introduces frictions that can translate into production delays , inventory adjustments and reconsideration of investment decisions.

Ahead of the review process of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , scheduled for July of this year, the organization maintained that the current moment presents an opportunity to consolidate, rather than fragment, North America’s manufacturing platform. “The region faces increasingly intense global competition in electromobility, industrial digitalization, and the relocation of supply chains.”

He considered that strengthening regional productive integration will be crucial to maintaining North America’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic automotive hubs .

“The National Auto Parts Industry will closely monitor the evolution of the business environment and will continue to provide technical analysis and constructive proposals that contribute to the stability, resilience and competitiveness of the North American automotive chain,” he emphasized.

The auto parts industry in Mexico, with over $120 billion in annual production and its position as the leading supplier of auto parts to the United States, is one of the strongest pillars of regional manufacturing. Every minute, thousands of components cross North American borders as part of a deeply interconnected production system.

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The National Auto Parts Industry (INA) highlighted the close link between auto parts production in Mexico and the evolution of the automotive market in the United States, the main destination for components manufactured in the country.

In this context, Julio Galván, manager of Economic Studies at INA, indicated that, despite a challenging environment during 2025, October marked a historic high in the production of auto parts , reaching a value of 10 billion 573 million dollars (mdd) , which represented a growth of 1.52% compared to September.

Speaking about the cumulative figures from January to October, Galván detailed that production reached $99.816 billion , representing a 3.75% contraction compared to the same period in 2014. Even so, he highlighted the sector’s ability to adapt to a volatile global environment, while also emphasizing that October’s data shows favorable trends that could positively influence the year-end performance.

He explained that the performance of the auto parts industry is closely tied to the performance of the U.S. automotive market , both in terms of production and sales, which directly impacts the demand for Mexican components. “The relationship between vehicle production and auto parts production is directly proportional,” Galván explained, emphasizing that fluctuations in the United States have immediate effects on local production.

Galván also presented figures on Mexico’s participation as a supplier of auto parts to the U.S. market. He noted that in October, Mexico’s share of total auto parts exports to the United States reached 46.25% , the highest level on record, and that in the January-October period of 2025, that proportion stood at 43.38% , reaffirming the importance of the Mexican industry in the regional supply chain.

When breaking down production by product type, he mentioned that the five main categories —electrical parts, transmissions and clutches, fabrics and carpets, engine parts, and suspension and steering— constitute 53% of the total value of auto parts production in Mexico.

He also highlighted the geographical distribution of the industry: 43.9% of production is concentrated in the north of the country , followed by the Bajío region with 36% and the central zone with 15.1% , reflecting the productive dispersion and the strategic importance of different states for the sector.

Regarding challenges and opportunities for 2026, Galván stressed that interdependence with the US market will be a key factor , as will the changes in commercial and productive dynamics expected for next year.

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The outlook for the automotive industry in the face of the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is not encouraging, according to experts, who agreed that the process will be complex and marked by external pressures seeking to tighten rules of origin.

During the XXIII International Congress of the Automotive Industry in Mexico (CIIAM) , Rogelio Garza, executive president of the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) , warned that the review will not only bring technical negotiations, but also a political debate with the intention of toughening conditions and evaluating the impact of the growing Asian participation in the value chains.

“A complicated process is shaping up,” he stated, noting that the challenge will be maintaining a balance in regional integration in the face of external interests.

For his part, Francisco González, executive president of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , emphasized that Mexico cannot limit itself to assembling vehicles, but must increase the domestic content in the automobiles of the future. To achieve this, he said, it is necessary to integrate more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the supply chain, especially at the second and third levels, and support them with financing, training, and quality certifications .

“Every additional point of regional content represents more jobs, more local innovation, and more attraction of foreign direct investment,” he said.

Along the same lines, Guillermo Rosales, executive president of the Mexican Association of Automobile Dealers (AMDA) , noted that Mexico’s competitiveness will not be defined solely by the treaty negotiations, but also by the internal conditions the country manages to guarantee.

He emphasized the need to maintain a level playing field with regional partners, with clear rules and a certain environment that allows dealers and distributors to continue promoting vehicle renewal. He warned that, as long as there is no regulatory certainty, investment and planning decisions will remain on hold.

Experts agreed that, in light of the USMCA review, the central challenge will be to strengthen regional competitiveness , recognizing that North American value chains are indivisible.

Under pressure from external actors and Asian competition, Mexico must strengthen its local supply chain and ensure internal conditions that consolidate it as a strategic partner in the region.

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The Mexican automotive industry is going through a decisive moment. In the discussion “Accelerating the Automotive Industry: Challenges and Opportunities ,” organized by Mundi , industry leaders analyzed the effects of the current situation, the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , and the challenges that the transition to electromobility will bring.

Gabriel Padilla Maya, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , emphasized that Mexico remains the world’s fourth-largest producer of auto parts , behind only China, the United States, and Japan.

Since the USMCA came into force in 2020, he said the country has consolidated a model of advanced manufacturing and regional integration that now supplies 43% of the parts and components the United States requires to manufacture vehicles.

However, he acknowledged that the industry is facing a “setback,” reflected in the 7% to 8% drop in performance in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023.

The expectation, he added, “is to resume growth after the treaty review in 2026, with an expansion horizon starting in 2027, provided Mexico manages to strengthen its supply chain and integrate more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers.”

From the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (Canacintra) in Querétaro, Daniel Romero agreed that electromobility is one of the biggest challenges.

He noted that, in addition to charging infrastructure, the country must develop its supply chain for batteries and critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. He warned that the USMCA will impose pressures to increase competitiveness compared to Asia and Europe, and emphasized that logistics and security costs remain a challenge for attracting new investment.

For her part, Elisa Crespo, executive president of the Metropolitan Automotive Cluster (CLAUT) , highlighted the sector’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of recent disruptions.

He mentioned that more than 50% of companies implemented technical shutdowns in 2024, in coordination with unions, which helped preserve jobs. He also emphasized “the need to strengthen training and continuing education as key instruments to attract investment and maintain competitiveness.”

The analysis also included the views of Guillermo Bernal, a representative of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) , who stated that the USMCA “is more alive than ever” and that the current review should be viewed as an opportunity to modernize the treaty.

He emphasized that the private sector must speak with one voice, strengthen regional integration , and ensure that competitiveness vis-à-vis Asia is maintained through clear rules of origin and greater use of the North American market.

Participants agreed that the negotiation of tariffs with the United States and the definition of rules of origin will be crucial for the immediate future.

At the same time, they emphasized that the Mexican industry must invest in technological innovation , digitalization, and the development of specialized talent to consolidate its position as the region’s automotive hub .

The discussion made it clear that uncertainty will continue to plague the industry, but also that Mexico has a solid foundation to turn challenges into a platform for opportunities.

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In response to the tariff measures announced by the Mexican government within the framework of the Protection Program for Mexico’s Strategic Industries , the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) supported efforts to protect and strengthen domestic production in this sector .

This program, which was sent to the  Congress of the Union , considers reforming various sections of the General Import and Export Tax Law, which would adjust tariff fractions of the Tariff of the General Import Tax Law, in order to increase the most favored nation tariffs, applicable to the import of various goods, including auto parts and vehicles .

In this context, the INA emphasized the importance of protecting investments in the sector that support manufacturing processes in Mexico and that comply with the rules established in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

The measure considers, in the case of auto parts, tariffs between 10% and 50% of the customs value, while for vehicles the tax would be 50 percent .

“Auto parts represent a key sector for the country’s economic development,” the organization emphasized in a statement, acknowledging the importance of the tariff measures announced by the Mexican government.

“The goal is to strengthen strategic sectors of the national economy against imports from countries with which there are no free trade agreements,” he emphasized.

According to INA, Mexico is the fourth largest auto parts producer in the world and the leading exporter to the United States , accounting for one in every 10 auto parts exported globally.

“These results reflect the competitiveness, innovation, and quality that distinguish Made in Mexico , synonymous with talent, job creation, and integrated supply chains in North America,” he emphasized.

Given the current tariff context, the INA reiterated its willingness to work in coordination with Mexican authorities to ensure that the proposed measures contribute to strengthening this industry and achieving the strategic objectives established in Plan Mexico .

The auto parts industry is one of the most important in the country. In the first half of 2025 alone, auto parts production in Mexico reached $58.629 billion , according to the INA.

In terms of exports , the sector reported a value of 51.007 billion dollars in the first half of the year, with the United States (85.5%), Canada (3.4%) and Brazil (1%) as the main destinations.

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The automotive sector in Mexico faces a critical challenge following the entry into force of the 25% tariffs imposed by the United States on products from Mexico and Canada , according to statements by various chambers and associations in the sector.

Rogelio Arzate, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) , is clear in pointing out that this measure directly harms the productive sectors of both countries , especially the heavy vehicle industry.

The company stressed in a press release that the industry’s supply chain is highly interdependent between nations, with components repeatedly crossing borders , amplifying the effects of tariffs.

“The value chain of the heavy vehicle automotive industry between Mexico and the United States was established decades ago; since the signing of the first free trade agreement, trade between the industries of both nations has been strengthened to date,” said Arzate.

He explained that if the imposition of tariffs continues,  it will affect manufacturers, the productive sector and consumers in both countries.

The ANPACT president also stressed the importance of continuing dialogue between nations to avoid measures that harm regional competitiveness and economic growth.

He said that the trade relationship between Mexico and the United States must be maintained under the principles of cooperation and mutual respect, guaranteeing the continuity of productive integration that has been key to the growth and development of the automotive sector in North America.

Arzate explained that ANPACT is confident that the actions led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente will allow for the immediate resumption of constructive dialogue to find joint solutions between Mexico and the United States.

Trump’s tariffs are not stopping!

The news that impacted the automotive sector on March 4 regarding the application of “Trump’s tariffs” continues to generate debate.

In a joint press release, various organizations such as the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) , the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) , and the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) and ANPACT, also expressed their concern about the repercussions of these tariffs.

These associations pointed out that the measures adopted by the United States not only affect the competitiveness of the region , but can also generate inflation and job losses, within the framework of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The statement noted that, according to estimates by the Peterson Institute for International Economics , based in Washington DC, the US economy could shrink by 0.5% by 2027 as a result of the tariffs.

Inflation could also rise by up to four percentage points in 2025 , making essential goods more expensive and affecting families and businesses in the region.

Together, sector organizations advocated for cooperation and understanding between the governments of Mexico, the United States and Canada to maintain economic stability and competitiveness.

The associations involved continue to work actively with authorities and partners to seek solutions that promote integration and joint development in the region.

The associations also reaffirmed that the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada remains a fundamental tool for ensuring the competitiveness and growth of the North American region.

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Given the announcement by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla , to pause the installation of the Gigafactory in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, the National Auto Parts Industry (INA) reacted through a press release, indicating the robust growth it is experiencing the auto parts sector in North America.

Regarding Tesla’s decision, the INA expressed in its statement that “it is necessary to emphasize that at all times it has been and continues to be a project. The eventual realization of business decisions will depend on specific conditions, such as the behavior of demand for electric vehicles worldwide, as well as the market share that each company has in an increasingly competitive environment.”

The INA stressed that the auto parts industry in North America is experiencing exceptional growth and in Mexico there was a historic production that is expected to exceed 126 billion dollars (mdd) by the end of 2024, maintaining the country as the fourth largest global producer and the main supplier in the United States.

Regarding the integration of the supply chain in North America, they assured that it is evident in the significant US investment in the auto parts sector in Mexico.

According to the INA statement, between 1994 and June 2024, the United States invested in 391 auto parts companies in Mexico , which represents 33% of the total foreign investments in this sector during that time. By comparison, Japan, the next largest investor, contributed 16 percent.

Likewise, for the National Auto Parts Industry, the robustness of the supply chain in North America and Mexico is not based on specific events or external decisions, but on the competitiveness and strength of both countries. Mexico plays a key role in the competitiveness of the United States, and vice versa.

Regarding electric vehicles , Mexico already has more than 100 suppliers that send components to companies in California such as Tesla, Arizona and Illinois.

In this context, the INA reaffirmed the continuity of North America as an integrated, competitive and promising region for auto parts companies on both sides of the border.

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With the aim of emphasizing the importance of the Mexican automotive industry, both heavy and light vehicles, and to share proposals for the generation of public policies benefiting the productive sectors, the leading associations of the national industry presented the document “Dialogue with the Automotive Industry 2024: Driving Towards a Sustainable Future” to the presidential candidates.

During the official presentation of the document, Guillermo Rosales, Executive President of the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), highlighted the importance of working together with the next President of the Republic from the moment the government transition begins. He assured that the industry remains committed to continuing to invest in the country.

Odracir Barquera, General Director of the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA), emphasized that the next head of state will face events that could transform the country’s direction.

“They will oversee the final stage of the great opportunity for the relocation of global value chains and ensure that Mexico capitalizes on it successfully. They will also review the USMCA in 2026 and ensure that its conditions and advantages are maintained or even improved, in addition to completing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals and securing the best possible outcomes,” stated Barquera.

He detailed that the next president will be responsible for driving Mexico in the global race towards new technologies. In this regard, he affirmed that electromobility represents the most significant real opportunity for attracting investment in the coming decades in Mexico, beyond the temporary phenomenon of relocation.

Virginia Olalde Lopez-Gavito, Director of Foreign Trade and Economic Studies of the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor Producers (ANPACT), stated that the proposals, strategies, and priority issues presented by the automotive sector to the presidential candidates are essential for maintaining Mexico’s global leadership in the production and export of buses, trucks, and tractors, while also boosting the domestic market.

“The document highlights the high integration of the automotive industry in the North American region, based on the USMCA, a legal instrument that guarantees regulatory certainty. North America is one of the key pillars for the automotive industry. ‘Made in North America’ means competitiveness, economic integration, technology, quality, and development, where Mexico plays a leading role. Therefore, for the heavy vehicle industry, it is important to maintain and enhance current trade agreements such as the USMCA, the Pacific Alliance, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), among others,” detailed the ANPACT representative.

Olalde Lopez-Gavito emphasized that addressing public security is crucial since strengthening this area will enhance opportunities for Mexico, in light of growth related to nearshoring.

Armando Cortés, General Director of the National Auto Parts Industry (INA), stated that the sector he represents is committed to the environment, technology, and electromobility. Consequently, INA will promote high-tech components such as batteries and semiconductors during the next six-year term.

“The foundations have already been laid, and we believe that the next administration will be very interested in continuing to promote these issues for the benefit of Mexicans. With this document, we request closer collaboration between the private sector and the government, from a regional perspective involving auto parts companies on both sides of the border. It is important to maintain a permanent dialogue with the United States,” affirmed the INA representative.

Finally, Guillermo Rosales emphasized that the automotive sector is key to the country’s economic and social development, also highlighting Mexico’s strategic global position in the industry. “We can have a better future only through dialogue and effective collaboration between the industry, society, and the government, with which we seek to restore constructive dialogue,” he assured.

Rosales pointed out that there is a significant challenge to meet the potential demand of the automotive market in Mexico. He also highlighted that the sector faces one of the highest regulatory burdens and that each year it responds to an increasing bureaucratic load and regulatory compliance, making it vulnerable to acts of corruption.

“It is imperative to establish an administrative revolution… for example, the reconstruction of a national vehicle control system to replace the inoperative Public Vehicle Registry (Repuve),” clarified the AMDA representative.

Another example is adjusting the money laundering prevention system that puts automotive dealers’ businesses at risk. Rosales also stated that it is urgent to update the tax framework so that the sale of new vehicles is no longer seen by governments as a revenue generator but as an opportunity for renewal, favoring cleaner vehicles for the decarbonization of mobility.

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