BMW Plant in SLP Ends First Half of Year with Production and Export Declines

BMW’s operations in San Luis Potosí registered improved performance in vehicle production and exports during June 2026. However, the first semester’s overall balance was negative for both manufactured units and international shipments, according to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)‘s Administrative Registry of the Light Vehicle Automotive Industry (RAIAVL).

BMW Increases Exports by 9.6% and Production by 11.1% in June

In June 2026, BMW Group exported 8,939 vehicles, a 9.6% increase compared to the 8,159 units sent abroad in June of the previous year. Similarly, the automaker produced 9,239 vehicles, representing an 11.1% annual growth from the 8,313 units assembled in the same month of 2025.

This monthly performance contrasts with the general trend of the Mexican automotive industry. In June, national exports decreased by 9.2%, dropping from 331,517 to 301,009 units, while production fell by 1.9%, settling at 354,221 units.

BMW Production and Exports End the Semester Below 2025 Levels

Although June showed a recovery, the year-to-date cumulative figures for the German automaker were lower. Between January and June 2026, BMW Group produced 42,403 vehicles, a 14.6% reduction compared to the 49,654 units recorded during the same period in 2025.

Regarding exports, the company shipped 38,186 vehicles abroad during the first semester, a decrease of 8.6% compared to the 41,795 units exported a year earlier.

Mexico Produces Nearly 2 Million Vehicles; Exports Advance 1.4%

Nationally, INEGI reported that the automotive industry manufactured 1,996,304 light vehicles during the first semester of 2026, a slight decrease of 0.42% compared to the 2,004,624 produced between January and June 2025.

On the other hand, exports reached 1,689,245 units, representing a 1.4% growth over the same period last year. The report also indicates that the United States accounted for 75.9% of Mexican light vehicle exports, followed by Canada with 12.5%, and Germany with 2.8%.

Stellantis and Volkswagen Lead Production

INEGI’s report highlights contrasts among the major automakers in Mexico during the first semester of 2026. While General Motors was the manufacturer with the highest number of units assembled (445,658 units), the brands with the most significant production growth were:

General Motors: (While not explicitly stated as a growth figure, it was the highest producer)
Stellantis: 242,228 vehicles, an increase of 34.9%.
Volkswagen: 198,297 units, with a growth of 24.5%.
KIA: 155,013 vehicles, an advance of 8.3%.

Conversely, the largest decreases were for:

Nissan: -25.8%
Mazda: -22.1%
BMW Group: -14.6%

Exports: Stellantis Leads Growth During the Semester

In terms of exports, performance was also uneven among automakers. The largest increases were for:

Stellantis: 210,283 vehicles, with a growth of 51.3%.
Volkswagen: 161,816 units, an increase of 37.4%.
Audi: 67,583 vehicles, with 13.4%.
Acura: 18,236 vehicles, also with 13.4%.
KIA: 118,366 vehicles, an advance of 10.8%.

In contrast, the main decreases were for:

Nissan: -29.2%
Mazda: -14.9%
Ford: -10.4%
BMW Group: -8.6%

BMW in San Luis Potosí Prepares New Model and Adjusts Production During 2026

INEGI’s figures align with a transitional year for BMW in San Luis Potosí. Previously, Klaus von Moltke, President and CEO of BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí, informed that the automaker anticipates closing 2026 with production below 90,000 vehicles, after manufacturing approximately 95,000 units in 2025.

The executive explained that the decrease is not due to a reduction in the plant’s production capacity. He noted that the company is leveraging this period to integrate new technologies, update its information technology (IT) systems, and prepare for the launch of a new product.

“The main task this year was to prepare ourselves for what is coming and not to overload the plant,” stated Von Moltke.