The strong performance of the Mexican automotive industry continues to be reflected in the sector’s figures. During April 2026, 118,859 light vehicles were sold in the domestic market, representing an 8.6% increase compared to the same month in 2025, when 109,420 units were sold, according to data from the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) published on Wednesday.

The positive trend in car sales also extended into the first four months of the year, with 500,512 units sold, an increase of 4.8% compared to the same period last year, in which 477,409 vehicles were sold.

According to statistics from the  Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL) , the accumulated figure represented the best result for a January-April period in the last nine years.

In the January-April 2026 cycle, the brands that stood out in vehicle sales were Nissan  with 17.3%,  General Motors  with 13.2%,  Volkswagen  with 11%,  Toyota  with 8.1% and  KIA  with 7.2% market share, according to the  Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA)  and the  Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) .

The report highlighted that Chinese brands showed variable performance , although they continue to gain ground in the Mexican market.

In that sense, Geely increased its sales by 283.3% in April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, Changan grew by 101.1%, JAC fell by 5.4%, MG Motor declined by 4.4%, and Foton increased its annual sales by 2.9%.

Other brands in the sector performed well year-on-year in the fourth month of the year. Stellantis grew 15.8%, Hyundai  advanced 13.7%, Honda rose 2%, Volkswagen accelerated 5%, and Mitsubishi  reported a 4.6% increase in sales.

With the April rebound in annual sales of light vehicles, the Mexican automotive industry has now recorded two months of positive figures, following a 0.3% drop last February.

The above reflects an improvement in the purchasing power of Mexican consumers, in an economy that is beginning to show slight signs of recovery, although specialists have pointed out that risks still persist, mainly due to external factors such as the conflict in the Middle East and a constantly changing global trade policy, framed by the imposition of tariffs.

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The commercial vehicle market in Mexico is not showing uniform behavior. According to Philipp Heldt, general manager of Magma Automotive Mexico , while heavy trucks continue to decline, “segments such as vans and light vehicles (related to last-mile delivery) have registered growth in the last year.”

This behavior has reshaped the market dynamics, with greater dynamism in operations linked to urban distribution, where activity is concentrated in lighter segments, Heldt explained.

In this scenario, the Dongfeng Mexico brand , represented in the country by Magma Automotive, has sought to position itself with an offering that covers different segments, from light vehicles to tractor-trailers, allowing it to participate in different market niches.

Heldt indicated that the company began operations in Mexico in the second half of 2024 and that, after its first full year, it closed with around three thousand units sold , in addition to a network of more than 27 agencies nationwide.

He added that, despite an environment he described as volatile during 2025 , the company expects to maintain a growth trajectory in 2026.

Beyond volume, the executive highlighted that the brand’s participation in the country has been supported by an offering that covers different segments of transportation, including trucks in different capacities, vans in cargo and passenger versions, as well as work pickups.

He also noted that one of the key aspects of the operation has been the development of a nationwide service network , with readily available spare parts, qualified personnel, and after-sales services, as part of the strategy to serve customers in the country.

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The Mexican automotive industry began 2026 with mixed signs: while light vehicle production registered a slight contraction in the first two months of the year, exports maintained moderate growth driven by demand from the US market.

According to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL) , in February 2026, 311,457 units were produced in the country, 1.80% less than in the same period last year.

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) indicated that in the accumulated period from January to February 2026 , the automotive plants installed in Mexico manufactured 625,774 light vehicles , which represented a negative variation of 0.58% compared to the same period in 2025.

The report also shows that the sector’s production structure continues to be dominated by light trucks (a category that includes SUVs and pickups) , which accounted for 80.4% of total production , while the remainder corresponded to automobiles.

Exports remain dynamic

Despite the slight drop in production, exports registered a positive performance at the start of the year.

During the first two months of 2026, Mexico exported 485,426 light vehicles , a figure that implied a growth of 1.36% compared to the same period in 2025, despite the annual rate drop of 4.45% that exports registered in February, with 247,945 vehicles.

The main destination for vehicles assembled in the country continues to be the United States , a market that accounted for 75.7% of international shipments .

This predominance reflects the high integration of the regional automotive industry under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , as well as Mexico’s role as an export platform for the North American market.

Data from the start of 2026 shows an industry that maintains its export capacity, although it faces adjustments in its production rate.

Factors such as the evolution of global demand, changes in vehicle electrification, and the reorganization of supply chains continue to influence the performance of the automotive sector, one of Mexico’s manufacturing and logistics pillars.

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The end of 2025 left the automotive industry facing an environment that demands adjustments and coordination in the face of emerging global and regional challenges. Consolidation within the sector and collaborative work among the various stakeholders will be key to navigating 2026, in a context that will require unity and adaptation, stated Rogelio Garza Garza, executive president of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) .

According to the agency’s figures, light vehicle production reached 3,953,494 units in 2025 , representing a 0.9% drop compared to 2024.

In December 2025, manufacturing totaled 243,961 units , with an annual growth of 8.5%, which allowed for a partial moderation of the contraction observed throughout the past year, Garza Garza explained during the presentation of results.

Regarding exports , the CEO of AMIA indicated that just over 3.3 million light vehicles were shipped abroad last year, a figure that represented a 2.7 percent year-on-year decrease. For the last month of 2025, exports totaled 227,262 units, a 14.5 percent drop compared to December 2024.

Regarding the domestic market , Garza Garza explained that light vehicle sales grew 1.4% during 2025, based on information reported to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) . However, he clarified that, when considering brands that do not report directly to Inegi, the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) estimated growth of approximately 5% in domestic sales, a difference due to the scope of the statistical sources used.

Regarding 2026, he emphasized that the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be a determining factor for the industry. In this context, he stated that legal certainty, clear rules, and a favorable investment environment are key elements for maintaining the competitiveness of the Mexican automotive sector.

He also addressed the tariff and regulatory measures implemented by the federal government, noting that AMIA supports the tariff modification decree announced by the Ministry of Economy , as it seeks to strengthen industries that invest and produce in Mexico. However, he pointed out that there are still no estimates on the specific impact these measures could have on brands from countries with which Mexico does not have a trade agreement.

Garza Garza emphasized the importance of continuing to promote supplier development and regional integration of the supply chain, as well as coordination between industry and authorities, to face the challenges of the international environment and consolidate Mexico as a strategic player in the automotive sector in North America .

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After advancing last October, the Mexican automotive industry slowed down again in November 2025, registering 148,359 units sold , a drop of 0.3% compared to the same month in 2024, when 148,864 cars were sold.

In the January-November period, vehicle sales reached 1,370,186 units , which represented a 1% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, when the total was 1,357,182 cars sold, according to figures from the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL) , released this Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

According to Inegi records, this is the third best January-November cycle in the last 10 years.

Among the best-performing brands in the first 11 months of 2025 are Nissan  with  17.9%  of the market. They are followed by General Motors  with  12.9% ,  Volkswagen  with 11.3% , Toyota  with  8.3% , and KIA with 7.4% , according to the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA)  and the  Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) .

According to the report from these organizations, some Asian brands showed negative sales performance last November. Isuzu reported a 38.4% decrease in sales , Foton a 31.6% drop , Mitsubishi an 11.1% decrease , Suzuki a 7.7% decrease, and Toyota a 4.3% decrease .

The strong pace of vehicle sales recorded in September and October fell in the eleventh month of the year, due to the United States’ tariff policy and lower consumption in the Mexican market.

The November result also emphasizes that there is still no sustained recovery of the domestic market; however, the Mexican automotive industry remains resilient in the face of constant trade changes.

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After a decline last August, the Mexican automotive industry showed a rebound in new vehicle sales in September 2025, according to figures from the Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL) .

According to the report of the  National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , automobile sales in the domestic market during the ninth month of the year totaled 117,182 light units , an increase of 0.3% compared to September 2024, when 116,789 vehicles were sold.

Despite the positive September figure, car sales in the first nine months of 2025 totaled 1,075,188 units , a 0.6% drop compared to the same period last year.

According to INEGI records, this is the fourth best January-September cycle in the last 10 years.

Among the best-performing brands in the first nine months of 2025 are Nissan  with  18.3%  of the market,  General Motors  with  13.3% ,  Volkswagen  with  11.4%  and  Toyota  with  8.4% , according to the  Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors (AMDA)  and the  Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) .

Meanwhile, Isuzu (44.9%), JAC (16.6%), Suzuki (14.1%), Mazda (4.3%), and Honda (1.5%) are among the brands that recorded sales declines during September 2025 compared to the same month last year.

According to the  Monex Financial Group , the  Mexican automotive industry  faces a challenging environment due to the imposition of U.S. tariffs; however, it is one of the sectors that has shown the greatest resilience during this complex period of global trade reconfiguration.

Industry experts have pointed out that, given the uncertainty surrounding tariff changes and political pressures, it is necessary to develop joint strategies and more robust supply chains  to sustain Mexico’s competitiveness in the North American context.

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The regional automotive industry is going through a scenario of contrasts, according to Gerardo Gómez , Country Manager Director Mexico of JD Power , who during the Fleet Latam Summit 2025 explained that, despite the fact that Mexico reached a historic production of close to four million light vehicles in 2024 , today the plants operate at 70% of their installed capacity , with 80% of that production directed to the United States.

The specialist emphasized that more than 30 Chinese light vehicle brands have entered the Mexican market in the last four years , making the country a sort of incubator for testing local consumer acceptance.

However, he predicted that in the next three or four years, half of these brands will disappear or merge, in a natural process of market purification.

Regarding the global outlook, Gómez noted that sales fell in 2020 and that, despite the recovery, the industry has yet to reach the goal of 100 million light vehicles sold and produced annually, a milestone now projected to end in 2036.

The uncertainty generated by tariffs and trade tensions is keeping production at tight levels, he said.

Gómez emphasized that Mexico and Brazil currently account for 86% of the seven million light vehicles produced in Latin America, and by 2032, they are expected to account for up to 90% of regional production.

While Mexico is consolidating its position as an exporting country, Brazil stands out for manufacturing practically everything it consumes, with around 2.5 million units.

Regarding hybrid and electric vehicles , he highlighted that globally, 40% of sales in 2025 will be based on this technology, and that by 2030, the proportion will grow to six out of every 10 units.

However, JD Power’s projection for Latin America is that adoption will be more gradual: one in five vehicles by 2030. “Hybrids will be the natural next step, as the electrical infrastructure consolidates,” Gómez emphasized.

When addressing the light used vehicle market , he noted that in Mexico, only 2% of purchases were made entirely digitally, compared to the 45 million used units sold each year in the United States. The lack of reliable and trustworthy records in digital channels limits growth in this segment, although it also represents an area of ​​opportunity for the future.

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Operating in a volatile environment requires flexibility and constant adaptation, acknowledged Lourdes (Lulú) Cobos, general manager of the Turbo Plant at BorgWarner Ramos Arizpe, who admitted that decisions must be adjusted to the changing pace of the market.

“The industry is living in an environment of uncertainty. Our challenge is to maintain operations with certainty, even when everything around us is in flux,” he emphasized.

Cobos explained that, given the uncertain global outlook, the company has opted to maintain its presence in Mexico without halting its operations, which span 12 industrial sites in six states and employ nearly 4,500 people . Its portfolio includes turbochargers , electric drive motors, valves, and thermal management systems.

From Coahuila, the Ramos Arizpe plant produces nearly three million turbochargers a year , making it the company’s largest for this type of component, he explained.

Although electrification is progressing more slowly than expected , the company maintains its participation in all three market segments: combustion , hybrid, and electric . In Mexico, nearly 80% of its operations remain focused on internal combustion technologies, added Esteban Valera, director of the Saltillo plant.

In addition to its participation in light vehicles, the company also serves the heavy-duty vehicle segment , primarily those with turbochargers. This market represents approximately 10% of its sales , and although it is currently experiencing some stagnation, especially in class 8, the medium-term outlook indicates solid growth in both Mexico and North America.

“What seemed like it was going to decline is now showing signs of growth. Some platforms that we saw as stagnant are rebounding, and that demands an immediate response on our part,” Valera said.

In addition, company executives emphasized that their commitment to electrification remains, but warned that infrastructure, planning, and external conditions are required for the market to grow sustainably.

Another challenge is meeting sustainability goals. The company has set a goal of achieving zero carbon by 2030 , and although progress has already been made, such as the installation of solar panels, this is an effort that also involves suppliers and local governments, company representatives noted.

One of the key actions has been ISO 50001 certification (an international standard that establishes a framework for improving energy efficiency), already achieved by several of its plants, including Ramos Arizpe. Work is also underway on the use of clean energy and on programs to evaluate suppliers under the same environmental criteria.

Regarding its relationship with automakers , the company explained that its position as a preferred supplier has allowed it to maintain strategic agreements, even in the face of adverse circumstances. However, they also recognized that the environment is constantly changing and that it is necessary to anticipate long-term decisions, such as opening new lines or redesigning the portfolio.

Following this same diversification strategy, BorgWarner seeks to strengthen its presence in the aftermarket. Furthermore, Lourdes Cobos emphasized that the quality of its components allows it to offer a warranty of up to 60 months .

For now, the strategy is to maintain what works and adjust where the market demands it, company executives commented. The goal is to keep moving, even when the direction isn’t always clear.

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The Mexican automotive market closed June with a result below expectations, in the month 116,059 new light vehicles were sold , which represented a drop of 5.9% compared to June 2024, according to the report of the Mexican Association of Automobile Dealers (AMDA) .

“With these figures, the June result was lower than AMDA’s estimate, which was 119,033 units. The estimate was 2.6% lower than the observed figure of 116,059 units,” explained Guillermo Rosales Zárate , the agency’s executive president.

The half- yearly sales also closed in the red. Between January and June , 709,341 units were sold , 0.2% lower than the figure recorded in the same period in 2024. Even so, the current sales level remains 10.7% higher than the figure recorded in the same period in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The economic environment still does not allow for a firm recovery.

“The economic and financial factors affecting vehicle demand have not seen substantial positive changes. In this context, market performance in June reflects a slowdown compared to the performance observed in the first quarter,” Rosales noted.

During the first half of June, the National Consumer Price Index recorded annual inflation of 4.51% , and the automobile purchase index increased by 1.41% . Growth prospects for the country are limited: 0.20% for 2025, according to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) expectations survey, commented on by Rosales.

Rosales warned that “economic activity in Mexico continues to show weak performance, which has led to a continued downward revision of the GDP growth forecast for 2025.”

By market share, Nissan remained the leading brand with 18.1% , followed by General Motors (13.3%) and Volkswagen (11.3%), according to figures from the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL) , published by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

In the retail channel , there were significant contrasts. Changan grew 215.8% in June and 129.6% in the half-year period.

Other brands such as Mitsubishi and Isuzu also reported significant gains, while firms such as Mazda , Stellantis , MG Motor and General Motors showed significant declines in the sixth month of the year.

“The June result reinforces our view that there is still no sustained recovery in the domestic market,” Rosales concluded.

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That possibility has made California a national benchmark, because 19 of the 50 states in the American Union adopt some of its standards for light vehicles, and 11 follow its regulations for heavy units , which together represent the supervision of more than 40% of the light vehicle fleet and 25% of the heavy vehicle fleet in the United States.

This leadership has been sustained by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) , an agency that not only regulates but also invests millions of dollars in research to combat air pollution .

CARB has seven major regulations , including two that directly impact freight transportation: the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation , which requires manufacturers and importers to progressively sell more zero-emission vehicles between 2024 and 2035, and the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation , which requires certain operators to gradually upgrade their fleets to zero-emission vehicles between 2025 and 2042.

As Elizalde explained, the ACF has three criteria that must be met according to the fleet:

1. Local government fleets.

2. Haulage fleets (ports and railway yards).

3. Federal government and high-priority fleets.

CARB has decided to initially withdraw the request for an “exemption” from the third criterion, that is, “Federal Government and High Priority Fleets ,” which is the criterion that must be met by federal government transportation companies, private transportation companies that own more than 50 vehicles in circulation in California, or companies that use transportation services with sales greater than $50 million annually.

The enforcement of this regulation no longer carries penalties for non-compliance, Elizalde explained.

Consequently, that part of the regulation was put on hold , with no penalties for non-compliance. The rest of the regulation remains in effect for other sectors, but the overall balance has been altered.

The change represents a forced slowdown in electrification plans, especially for Mexican companies that operate directly in California or export units to that market, Elizalde noted.

“For Mexican transportation companies operating in California that met the high-priority fleet criteria , this decision represents a slowdown in the mandatory transition to zero-emission vehicles,” Elizalde explained.

He noted that these fleets are no longer required to meet the Zero Emission Vehicle (CEV) incorporation targets originally established in the ACF regulations.

“In practice, this means an indefinite extension of the deadline without specific goals, while the legal challenge filed by other states is resolved and the regulatory framework is redefined,” he said.

What impact does it have on Mexico?

Even for companies that don’t physically operate in California, the move has implications. Miguel Elizalde noted that many Mexican automakers sell units in that state under the ACT regulations, which remain in effect.

The problem now is that only the “supply” (manufacturers and importers) is regulated, while the “demand” (fleet operators) is partially unrestricted, Elizalde commented.

“This imbalance could lead to market distortions, and therefore, it would not be surprising if the provisions of the ACT were also reviewed or adjusted in the medium term, as its effectiveness depends largely on complementarity with the ACF,” he indicated.

The practical suspension of part of the regulatory framework threatens to weaken the comprehensive approach that sought to align the supply and demand for zero-emission vehicles in California.

Elizalde noted that these types of adjustments, although they may seem technical or distant, directly affected investment schedules, commercial strategies, and even industrial planning.

He also stressed that the suspension of the strictest part of the ACF had no set date for reactivation and could be extended for years, depending on the ongoing legal outcome.

In Mexico , where many companies had replicated or adapted their sustainability strategies based on California regulations, this pause represented, according to Elizalde, a turning point.

Beyond regulatory compliance, this presented an opportunity to rethink business models, redesign supply chains, and explore new technological opportunities.

For its part, CARB remains firm in its stance of protecting public health and reducing pollution. However, the regulatory landscape is no longer the same, and Mexican fleets (especially those with operations or interests in the U.S. market) are already closely analyzing the new scenario.

*Main image taken from the CARB website .

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