Car Sales in Mexico Break Record in August
Mexico’s new vehicle market reached a historic milestone in August, surpassing one million light-vehicle sales for the first time in an eight-month period and extending the automotive sector’s record-setting performance in 2026.
According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), automakers and distributors sold 1,014,832 new light vehicles between January and August, representing a 4.7% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The difference amounts to more than 45,000 additional vehicles sold year over year.
August alone accounted for 129,479 units, up 2.3% from the 126,545 vehicles sold during the same month last year. It was the second-highest August sales figure in the industry's historical records, surpassed only by the 134,388 units registered in August 2016.
The results also exceeded expectations from the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA), which had projected sales of 127,949 units for the month.
Intense competition among automakers has been a major factor behind the market's momentum. Traditional manufacturers have increased promotional campaigns and financing incentives to defend their market share, while Chinese brands continue to expand their presence in Mexico.
Nissan remains the country's leading automotive brand, followed by General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Kia, Mazda, Stellantis, Hyundai, MG and Ford. However, performance across manufacturers has been uneven, with Nissan, Kia and Honda reporting declines while Volkswagen, Toyota, Stellantis and Ford posted gains.
Chinese automakers are also showing mixed results. Geely recorded a 106.7% increase in sales, while Jetour Soueast grew 80%. Other Chinese brands, including MG, JAC, Great Wall Motor and Foton, experienced declines during the month.
The continued growth of Mexico's domestic vehicle market reinforces the country's importance as a major automotive hub in North America. With sales already exceeding one million units through August, the industry is on track for another strong year, supported by aggressive competition, consumer incentives and the increasing diversity of brands available to Mexican buyers.
