Mexico Produces 2.64 Million Vehicles in August
Mexico’s automotive manufacturing industry produced more than 2.64 million light vehicles during the first eight months of 2026, maintaining production levels close to those recorded a year earlier despite a slight annual decline.
According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), automakers assembled 2,645,140 light vehicles between January and August, representing a 0.72% decrease compared with the same period in 2025.
Production in August reached 344,940 units, down 1.43% year over year. Despite the monthly contraction, the industry continued to operate at high production volumes, underscoring Mexico’s role as a major manufacturing base for the North American automotive market.
Exports showed a somewhat stronger performance. Mexican plants shipped 2,251,254 light vehicles abroad during the January-August period, virtually unchanged from the previous year, with a marginal decline of 0.06%.
In August alone, exports totaled 300,475 vehicles, an increase of 1.26% compared with the same month in 2025. The stronger export performance helped offset the slight decline in cumulative production.
The results come as Mexico’s automotive sector navigates a complex international environment marked by changes in trade policy, shifting demand and continued efforts by automakers and suppliers to strengthen regional supply chains.
Mexico’s manufacturing base remains closely integrated with the United States, its primary export destination, while investments in vehicle and component production continue to reinforce the country’s position within North American automotive supply chains.
The performance of vehicle manufacturing is also supported by the expansion of Mexico’s auto-parts industry. During the first half of 2026, domestic auto-parts production reached US$63.83 billion, up 9.09% year over year, while foreign direct investment in the sector increased 31.3% to US$1.62 billion.
With more than 2.6 million vehicles already produced through August, Mexico’s automotive industry is on track to maintain one of the largest manufacturing footprints in the region, even as companies adjust production and supply-chain strategies to changing market conditions.
