The Automotive Industry Drives Mexico Again

The automotive industry in Mexico maintains a central role in the national economy due to its export capacity and the arrival of investments. Although nearshoring reinforces its attractiveness, 2026 indicators show the sector faces a complex business environment.

According to INEGI, between January and September 2026, 2,946,943 light vehicles were produced, and 2,528,623 units were exported. However, these results represented year-on-year decreases of 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. The United States accounted for 76.4% of the

, highlighting the importance of the North American market. Furthermore, light trucks represented 79% of national manufacturing. In contrast, the domestic market showed greater dynamism, with 1,144,000 light vehicles sold between January and September, representing a 5% annual increase.

Nearshoring Boosts Automotive Industry

The country’s proximity to the United States and its manufacturing expertise continue to attract foreign capital. According to the Secretariat of Economy of Mexico, foreign investment in vehicle manufacturing reached $4.033 billion USD in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $3.351 billion in the same period of 2025, a 20.4% growth.

Notable projects include Kia’s $649 million USD investment to produce the EV3 electric vehicle in Nuevo León, with an outlook for 500 new jobs during 2026. Additionally, General Motors announced a $1 billion USD investment, which includes producing previously imported vehicles in Coahuila, with a target of 80,000 units for the domestic market by 2030. https://www.liderempresarial.com/mexico-elimina-temporalmente-el-arancel-a-autopartes-que-cambia-para-las-automotrices/

Automotive Industry: A Million-Dollar Autoparts Sector

The autoparts sector also stands out for its supply capabilities. According to the National Autoparts Industry, Mexico produced approximately $119 billion USD in autoparts during 2025, generating 801,000 direct jobs. Moreover, the association ranks the country as the fourth-largest global producer of autoparts, noting that Mexican components accounted for 43.74% of U.S. autoparts imports during 2025.

Manufacturing as a National Economic Engine

In the first half of 2026, Mexico attracted $34.968 billion USD in foreign direct investment. Of this amount, $13.482 billion corresponded to manufacturing, equivalent to 38.6% of the national total.

The automotive industry continues to consolidate as one of the main drivers of the Mexican economy, thanks to its ability to attract investments, generate employment, and strengthen manufacturing activity. Its presence in the North and Bajío regions drives regional development and reaffirms Mexico’s position as an international benchmark in automotive production. https://www.liderempresarial.com/industria-automotriz-de-guanajuato-participa-en-elaboracion-de-nueva-ley-de-economia-circular/

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