LEÓN, GTO.- New foreign trade rules are changing the way the automotive industry operates in Mexico, marked by a more demanding customs environment where compliance, traceability and auditing have become central elements for the competitiveness of this sector, one of the most important in the country.

During the panel “Playing under new rules: customs reform and logistics competitiveness”, held at the second edition of the Road 2 Logistics Automotive 2026 of the Industrial Cluster , Gimena León, Industrial Services Procurement Coordinator of Pirelli Mexico, warned that it is no longer enough to know the regulatory changes, but that organizations must translate them into procedures, responsibilities and control systems that allow them to maintain operational continuity in the face of stricter oversight.

“The challenge is to translate that change into processes, times, movements and the definition of responsibilities within the organization,” León emphasized.

In her remarks, she explained that the reform to the Customs Law, which came into effect in 2026, is driving the digitization of processes and greater integration between corporate systems and government platforms . She also highlighted that authorities are using data analytics tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen audits and detect inconsistencies in foreign trade operations.

One of the panel’s main messages was that any non-compliance can become a logistical problem . An additional review, an incorrect tariff classification, or a documentation error could lead to delays, storage costs, and even halt the flow of materials to the production lines.

This issue becomes even more relevant in an industry that relies on highly integrated supply chains. Mexico maintains a strategic position within the North American automotive sector. In 2025 alone, 3,953,494 vehicles were produced and 3,385,785 units were exported, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .

During the panel, it was highlighted that regulatory pressure is also forcing companies to review the regional content of their products and their certificates of origin. Traceability has ceased to be a competitive advantage and has become an essential requirement for accessing the trade benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

In that regard, Ramón Ruvalcaba, Supply Chain Director at Kasai Mexicana , agreed on the point about digitalization and modernization, and considered that given the high dependence on foreign inputs, the focus should be on regional content.

“We must focus on adding regional content and mastering the rules to minimize costs, because any impact goes directly to the market. So, as long as we remain in this situation, with this dependence on foreign countries, we have to work hard on regional content, on adding value in assembly and manufacturing,” he emphasized.

Participants felt that companies are no longer just looking for suppliers capable of delivering on time, but for partners who can demonstrate documentary compliance, responsiveness, and transparency in the origin of their inputs .

Another point addressed was the increase in customs inspection times. According to Gimena León, processes that previously could be completed in 24 or 48 hours now face more detailed reviews related to the value, tariff classification, and origin of the goods, extending the time to more than 48 hours. This has led several companies to increase safety stock levels to avoid production interruptions.

The expert indicated that maintaining larger inventories adds more costs. In addition to tied-up capital, companies must absorb expenses related to storage, delays, and potential penalties. Therefore, visibility across the logistics chain becomes a determining factor in balancing compliance and efficiency.

The panelists also agreed that foreign trade can no longer be handled solely by a specialized department. Finance, purchasing, logistics, production, legal, and foreign trade must all work under a unified strategy .

In this context, Francisco Méndez Aguiñaga, director general of the Bajío region’s Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , stated that foreign trade has already changed, and therefore, past procedures are no longer sufficient for the present and future. Given this, he urged the strengthening of processes through the integration of different departments .

The importance of strengthening these capabilities is reflected in the current economic context. According to the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , in 2025, customs revenue registered a real increase of 15.5% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling a cash flow of 1,449,461.35 million pesos.

The panel discussed the challenge facing the automotive industry in maintaining agile supply chains in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

The conclusion was clear: competitiveness will not depend solely on producing more or reducing costs . The ability to integrate information, guarantee compliance, and ensure the continuity of supply chains will determine which companies manage to adapt to the new rules of international trade.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Humberto Cruz Moya  /   @GrupoT21

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Amid growing trade tensions and on the eve of the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ( USMCA) , the Mexican automotive sector faces one of the most complex and, at the same time, decisive moments in its recent history.

During the conference “State of the Mexican Automotive Sector: USMCA, Tariffs and Statistics” , Alberto Bustamante , president of the National Agency of Suppliers of the Automotive Sector (Anapsa) , outlined a scenario in which US tariff pressure, the tightening of trade rules and, at the same time, a window of opportunity to consolidate Mexico as a global power converge.

The starting point was that Mexico is no longer a secondary player . With exports to more than 100 countries and a production of around 4.2 million vehicles per year, the country has consolidated its position as the second largest manufacturer in North America, surpassing Canada, whose market share has been steadily declining.

For Bustamante, this change is not a coincidence, but the direct result of trade integration since 1994.

“The only winner has been Mexico,” he stated.

However, the sector’s importance is not limited to production volume. The automotive industry accounts for approximately 22% of the country’s manufacturing employment and has built a supply network that provides over 900,000 direct jobs in auto parts.

This ecosystem not only supports the assembly plants, but also multiplies the economic impact, so that for every job in an assembly plant, multiple positions are generated in the supply chain.

The true weight of the sector is reflected in its trade balance. With a surplus of nearly $108 billion , the automotive industry surpasses, even combined, industries such as remittances, tourism, and oil.

This strength is largely explained by Mexico’s strategic role as a supplier of auto parts to the United States. Today, 43% of U.S. imports in this sector come from Mexico , an advantage that places the country well ahead of other partners like Canada.

This interdependence has generated a stark reality: no internal combustion engine vehicle in the United States can be manufactured without Mexican components.

Each unit produced in that country incorporates, on average, more than $10,000 worth of auto parts from Mexico .  But this very importance is what has placed the sector at the center of the trade dispute.

Heading towards the USMCA review

Ahead of the trade agreement review, the United States is seeking to tighten the rules of the game. The proposal includes raising the regional content requirement for vehicles from 75% to 85% , requiring that at least half of the components come directly from U.S. territory, and strengthening labor provisions.

This is in addition to a broader strategy aimed at reducing dependence on Asia, particularly China.

Meanwhile, the tariff environment has become more aggressive. Although the USMCA allows for exports with preferential rates, various measures implemented by Washington have resulted in tariffs of up to 25% for certain vehicles and components, especially those with high steel, aluminum, or copper content.

“The automotive sector is in the eye of the storm,” Bustamante warned.

Mexico, for its part, has begun to take measures following the same geopolitical logic. The imposition of tariffs of up to 50% on products from countries without trade agreements , particularly China, seeks to strengthen regional integration.

However, the industry has expressed concerns when these measures affect essential raw materials for manufacturing, such as plastic, which could increase the cost of local production.

In this context, the upcoming review of the USMCA, which will formally begin in July, is shaping up to be a turning point. Anapsa is calling for ensuring conditions of certainty and protecting the sector from unilateral measures.

Among the proposals, the signing of parallel agreements to protect the automotive industry from new tariffs stands out, as well as the strengthening of the rule of law and security, factors that directly affect competitiveness.

Despite the adverse environment, the diagnosis is not pessimistic; on the contrary, Bustamante anticipated that Mexico is heading towards a new stage of expansion.

In the coming years, the country could position itself as the world’s fourth largest producer of light vehicles and the third largest in auto parts, driven by greater regional integration and new investments, many of which, he assured, are already taking place, although with less public visibility.

“Turbulent times are coming,” he acknowledged.

But he also made it clear that the sector has built a solid enough foundation not only to withstand the strain, but to grow.

The Mexican automotive industry, which took more than two decades to consolidate, now faces its next big test: adapting to a more restrictive environment without losing its place as one of the country’s economic pillars and an indispensable partner for North America.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Jennifer Galindo / @GrupoT21

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