The paint industry maintains a strategic relationship with the Mexican automotive sector , not only for its participation in manufacturing processes, but also for the repainting and repair market that accompanies the growth of the vehicle fleet in the country, as stated by Flor de María González Mariblanca, general director of the National Association of Paint and Ink Manufacturers (Anafapyt) .

The executive emphasized that each automotive plant is also an advanced paint shop, where coating processes are a fundamental part of production. One example is the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, whose technical capacity allows for the coating of up to 90 vehicles per hour , an efficiency standard that underscores the importance of this sector for the national supply chain.

Although the main market for the paints industry continues to be the architectural segment, which represents 64% of the total volume of the sector, original automotive manufacturing maintains a relevant share with around 102 million liters (equivalent to 51%) of coatings destined for new vehicles.

Added to this is the automotive refinishing segment, which registers a consumption of close to 86 million liters and has become one of the most dynamic markets for paint manufacturers.

In an interview with T21, González Mariblanca explained that the growth of the vehicle fleet directly drives the demand for specialized coatings.

According to the consulting firm Integrate Data Facts (IDF) , at the end of 2025, Mexico had a vehicle fleet of 36.1 million units in circulation, reflecting the need for maintenance, repair and repainting in the automotive industry.

Impact on road safety

The general manager of Anafapyt indicated that road safety signage is a relevant factor for this market, as there is a constant demand for specialized repair systems, finishes and coatings, which contributes to safeguarding the lives of pedestrians and drivers .

In that regard, he noted that the paints used on road infrastructure serve specific safety functions supported by technical regulations . “Colors like yellow are for prevention, while white and black contain anti-reflective coatings and are based on visibility and accident prevention studies.”

In addition to its connection with the automotive industry, Anafapyt seeks to strengthen its relationship with transport organizations to promote projects related to road safety .

The association works with representatives from the National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (Canapat) and the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) to analyze the impact of modifications to urban colors and signage on the visibility of operators and pedestrians.

Challenges in the paint industry

González Mariblanca explained that the paints and inks sector faces new challenges stemming from the international environment. The conflict in the Middle East has led to an approximately 20% increase in the costs of various raw materials used in the manufacture of paints and coatings.

Given this scenario, several companies have begun to pass on some of these increases to final prices, after absorbing the impact on their production costs for months.

To address supply chain pressures, the industry is focusing on strengthening supply chains through greater diversification of international suppliers. This will be one of the main objectives of the Latin American Coatings Show (LACS), an event organized by Anafapyt that will bring together representatives from 34 countries this July.

Flor de María explained that Mexico has become an attractive market for global manufacturers and suppliers due to its strategic position in the North American region and the importance of the country’s skilled workforce in sectors such as automotive, construction, and infrastructure.

Another factor transforming this industry is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). He explained that new technologies already allow for optimizing formulations, managing color databases, and developing simulations to accelerate innovation processes.

Far from replacing jobs, he stated, AI is becoming a tool to improve the productivity of technicians and engineers specializing in coating development.

For the second half of 2026, the industry anticipates a scenario of higher costs, pressure on raw materials, and challenges associated with the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . However, Anafapyt believes that Mexico maintains significant competitive advantages thanks to its manufacturing capacity, skilled workforce, and growing attractiveness to new international investment.

For the paints and inks sector, the priority will be to ensure the supply of inputs and strengthen its integration with strategic industries such as the automotive industry, which continues to be one of the main drivers of demand in the country.

The size of the paint market in Mexico was approximately 3.438 billion dollars (USD) in 2025, and is expected to exceed 5 billion USD by 2034, at an annual growth rate of 4.65% during the period 2026-2034, according to figures from the consulting firm Imarc Group .

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As part of a one billion dollar (USD) investment, General Motors (GM) will manufacture the Aveo and Groove models at its Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila complex, which will be destined for the domestic market, announced Francisco Garza, president and CEO of the automaker in the country.

“We will start in 2027 with Chevrolet Groove and later add our beloved Chevrolet Aveo, currently the best-selling vehicle in the Mexican market,” the executive highlighted.

During the event “General Motors of Mexico’s New Project for Mexico,” held in Toluca, State of Mexico, Garza highlighted that this new project is part of the one billion dollar investment announced last January for the operations of the US-based firm in the country and is aligned with the Mexico Plan .

“It is a project conceived in Mexico for Mexico, which strengthens the national industry, takes advantage of the installed capacity in our country and contributes to reducing dependence on foreign countries, promoting sustainable industrial development in line with the objectives of the Mexico Plan,” he emphasized.

The executive indicated that starting next year they will begin local assembly of units for the national market, with the goal of reaching an approximate capacity of 80,000 vehicles per year by 2030 .

This announcement comes in a context where Mexico imposed, since January 1, 2026, tariffs of up to 50% on 1,463 tariff classifications for countries with which it does not have a trade agreement, including China, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Thailand, Malaysia and others, in order to protect the country’s industrial sectors such as textiles and clothing, automotive and steel.

In his remarks, Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy (SE) , said that 80,000 vehicles that are being imported from Asia to Mexico, which do not have Mexican parts, nor are they assembled here, will begin to be produced in the country.

“Those 80,000 vehicles represent a very big impact for General Motors to preserve, maintain and grow its manufacturing platform in our country, protect jobs, the plants they have, and it will mean a cost, an investment, because it was cheaper to do it elsewhere, but what must be acknowledged about General Motors is the decision made by its director, its global CEO, Mary Barra, to invest one billion dollars for now, plus whatever comes later,” he said.

Similarly, Ebrard indicated that these vehicles will be manufactured with more parts and components made in Mexico.

For his part, Francisco Garza pointed out that the Ramos Arizpe complex comprises five plants and employs more than 5,000 people, making it a benchmark for the country’s industrial transformation. He noted that with the projected 80,000 units, “we will be exceeding our vision of increasing vehicle production for the domestic market by 10% by 2030.”

With this project, GM is setting a precedent in the automotive industry at a time when the policy of Donald Trump, President of the United States, seeks the return of these companies to the United States.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , GM manufactured 291,031 light vehicles in Mexican plants during the period January-April 2026 , which meant a growth of 2.9% compared to the same cycle of 2025.

In the same period, the brand exported 263,159 units , a growth of 0.1% compared to the first four months of last year.

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El cargo General Motors accelerates its commitment to Mexico; will manufacture Aveo and Groove at its Ramos Arizpe complex apareció primero en T21.