Aftermarket automotive sector is forecast to surpass US$42.8 billion this year
The automotive aftermarket in Mexico is on track to exceed US$42.6 billion in 2026, representing an opportunity for domestic manufacturers and suppliers to serve this double-digit growth niche, according to the National Auto Parts Industry Association (INA) and the National Association of Representatives, Importers, and Distributors of Auto Parts and Accessories (ARIDRA).
According to the second edition of the Aftermarket Monitor, presented by both industries, Mexico imports from the United States, China, and Japan, particularly to serve the aftermarket, since domestic auto parts production is directed toward supplying the vehicle assembly sector.
Gabriel Padilla, director general of the INA, reported that the average annual household expenditure on vehicle maintenance is projected to rise to US$17,308 in 2026, representing a 15.3% increase compared to 2025.
This increase highlights the importance of preventive and corrective maintenance for Mexican families' finances.
The aftermarket, together with the auto parts manufacturing industry in Mexico, is facing a pivotal moment marked by high demand for imported components—particularly from China and the United States—as well as by recent government decrees aimed at boosting investment in the automotive manufacturing industry.
The competitive prices offered by Chinese manufacturers are attractive and difficult to match in the local market, making imports a vital supplement for maintaining coverage of the vehicle fleet.
The INA representative stated that, between January and July, the industry’s trade figures showed imports of components valued at more than US$2.3 billion. Of this total, 48% came from the United States; 15% from China; 6.8% from Japan; 6.5% from Germany; and 6% from South Korea.
Padilla noted that these imports not only meet the growing needs of the aftermarket but also complement the original manufacturing processes for export.
Data indicates that Mexico's vehicle fleet grew by 17.6% between 2025 and 2026, rising from 30.7 million to 36.2 million units. Meanwhile, by December 2026, the fleet is estimated to reach 37.3 million vehicles, with an average age of 16.3 years.
“Growth in the aftermarket does not depend solely on an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, but rather on the industry’s ability to respond to an increasingly aging and technologically diverse vehicle fleet,” Gabriel Padilla noted.
