Mexico has a large automobile industry due to its enviable position to the United States and Canada. Top automobile manufacturers have relocated major portions of their production to Mexico, making it the world's third-largest automotive manufacturer.
Mexico has secured a growing share of the global market for small and midsize cars and auto parts. But its domestic determinants are not the main source of its competitiveness.
As a manufacturing hub Mexico has an impressive lineup of car brands proudly crafted there. People are curious to know What Cars are Made In Mexico and its role in driving the wheels of the automotive world.
Mexico’s Growing Role in the Auto Industry
Mexico has emerged as an influential player in the global car industry. Mexico's auto sector represents the emergence of a second vehicle production cluster in North America. The plants in this cluster specialize in making small cars and large pickups, ideally situated to export their automobiles throughout the Western Hemisphere.The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which has recently replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has also eased trade and manufacturing in the area. More by this Author Thomas H. Klier Mexico’s growing vehicle production.
Cars Made in Mexico
The Automotive manufacturing industry in Mexico has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is home to several major automotive manufacturers including:
| Car Brand | Manufacturing Location | Models Produced (Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan | Aguascalientes, Cuernavaca | Nissan's plants in Mexico manufacture Nissan and Infiniti models, such as the Sentra, Versa, and QX50. |
| General Motors | Silao, Ramos Arizpe, San Luis Potosi | General Motors has many manufacturing plants in Mexico, and they produce GMC, Chevrolet, and Cadillac vehicles. The Silao plant is one of their largest in the country |
| Ford | Hermosillo, Chihuahua | Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant produces the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. |
| Volkswagen (VW) | Puebla, Silao | One of Mexico's largest car production facilities is Volkswagen's Puebla facility. The Jetta and Tiguan are among Volkswagen models it manufactures. |
| Mazda | Salamanca | The Mazda3 and Mazda2 are assembled at Mazda's Salamanca plant. |
| Kia | Nuevo Leon | The Kia Forte and Rio are two of the models that are manufactured at Kia's plant in Mexico. |
| Toyota | Baja California | Toyota has a plant in Mexico that produces the Tacoma pickup truck. |
| Audi | Puebla | The Audi Q5 SUV is produced at the Audi plant in Mexico. |
| BMW | San Luis Potosi | The BMW 3 Series and 5 Series are made in the BMW plant in San Luis Potosi. |
| Mercedes-Benz | Aguascalientes | Vehicles made at the COMPAS (Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes) plant include Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti models. |
| Honda | Celaya | Models like the Honda Fit and HR-V are made at Honda's Celaya plant. |
| Chrysler | Toluca | Models like Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Journey, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee are assembled at Toluca Assembly Plant. |
The Local Mexican Car Brands
Let's spotlight local automakers and find out why they are noteworthy.
| Car Brand | Description | Logo Image |
|---|---|---|
| Inferno Automobili | Mexican sports car maker Inferno Automobili is renowned for creating high-performance cars with a focus on speed and luxury. |
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| Zacua | Zacua is a Mexican electric car producer that specializes in small, urban-oriented electric cars. This brand is rushing towards energy-efficient vehicles and close to zero emissions. |
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| Mastretta | Mastretta is a Mexican sports car manufacturer renowned for the Mastretta MXT, a lightweight and performance-focused sports car. |
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| National Diesel DINA | National Diesel, or simply DINA, manufactures excellent buses and trucks, particularly diesel-powered. |
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| Solana | Solana specializes in electric bicycles, scooters, and mobility solutions specifically intended for urban environments. |
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| Mexicana de Autobuses (MASA) | MASA is a Mexican bus and commercial vehicle manufacturer that offers a variety of passenger and cargo transportation options. |
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| Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos | Mexican automaker VAM was well-known for producing cars in partnership with foreign partners like Chrysler. |
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| S.R. Motors | In the Mexican market, S.R. Motors is also a relatively new player. This automobile brand was established in order to design, produce, and deliver hand-built automobiles that combine modern technology with striking artistic aspects. |
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| Elfi Motors | The brand’s projects are centered around small and environmentally friendly electric vehicles. It specializes in electric bikes and scooters. |
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| Ron Automóviles | A Mexican automaker company, Ron Automóviles, has created electric cars, especially electric buses, for public transit networks that aim to minimize pollution. |
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Light Vehicle Production Grows in Mexico
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, Mexico produced 3,308,346 light automobiles in 2022, adding 9.24% from 2021. Each automaker has a different level of relevance for Mexico as a North American auto production location.
Among the five leading producers of Mexico, V. W. had 82 percent of its North American production in Mexico during 2016, whereas the Detroit Three producers shares ranged from 13 percent to 20 percent (given in table).
Table. Light vehicle production in Mexico by automakers, 1995 and 2016.
Mexican Auto Production in 2023
According to recent data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), Mexican auto manufacturing increased by 2.8% in 2023. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) assembled 325,676 light vehicles, exceeding the 316,815 units built in the preceding year.
OEM Production Highlights
Major automakers contributed to this positive trend, boosting their production efforts.
- BMW had a spectacular gain, with a 33.9% increase, and manufactured 9,313 units.
- Honda produced 13,818 units, showing a substantial 17.3% increase.
- JAC came out with a noteworthy increase of 136.1% and 1,740 units produced.
- Kia increased by 0.4%, reaching 24,492 units.
- Nissan experienced substantial growth, increasing by 70.2% to a total of 59,903 units.
- Toyota claimed its output increased by 6.3% to 25,729 cars.
- Chrysler had a modest rise of 1.4%, a total of 44,234 units.
- Volkswagen reported a good growth of 7.5%, with a total production of 35,054 units.
OEMs whose production declined in August 2023 include:
- Audi’s production fell significantly, by 25.4%, to 12,002 units.
- Ford reported a total of 25,661 units, a 1.7% drop.
- G. M. manufactured 53,743 fewer vehicles, a significant fall of 24.2%.
- Mazda saw a 1.4% drop in sales, totaling 14,199 units.
- Mercedes-Benz produced 5,788 units, a significant decline of 41.1%.
What is the most popular car brand in Mexico?
Mexico saw a rise in Nissan car sales in 2020. Nothing changed in this regard in 2021; the Nissan Versa was still in the lead, followed by the Nissan NP300 and the Nissan March.
In 2022, the top two cars were Nissan and Chevrolet. What was surprising was that Toyota and Kia were in third and fourth place, respectively, while Volkswagen dropped to fifth.
Nissan maintains its reign as the best-selling car brand in Mexico in 2023 and has an 18.8% market share. With 12.4% of the market, General Motors is in second place, followed by Volkswagen Group, which has 10.7% of the market.
Are Cars Made In Mexico Reliable?
Mexico-made cars can be reliable, but they ultimately rely on their manufacturers and their quality assurance procedures. Production facilities for many well-known automakers are located in Mexico, and they fulfill international quality standards. It's necessary to research the exact make and model to assess its reliability through reviews and ratings. The long-term reliability of a vehicle is not only a factor of production origin; it depends mainly on routine maintenance and proper servicing.
Mexico’s growing reputation in the automotive industry has piqued customer’s curiosity in what car brands are made in Mexico. Sourcing products made in Mexico can be a strategic and cost-effective choice for businesses wishing to diversify their supply chains. Businesses must, however, carefully assess their suppliers, take into account potential difficulties such as changing exchange rates, and make sure that they are in conformity with any trade laws. In today's global economy, purchasing Mexico-based Products can provide considerable benefits and prospects for growth if executed correctly and with due investigation.
Sources:
- Author Thomas H. Klier- https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/economic-perspectives/2017/6
- Light vehicle production in Mexico by automakers, - https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/economic-perspectives/2017/6
- National Institute of Statistics and Geography - https://www.marklines.com/en/statistics/flash_prod/automotive-production-in-mexico-by-month
