• Mexico: Auto production and exports decline as domestic sales rise

In September, the automotive sector showed mixed signals (chart 1). A total of 301,803 vehicles were produced, representing a 15.1% year-over-year decline and a sharper contraction than the previous 1.4% decrease. Exports also fell by 11.9% year over year, with 277,369 vehicles shipped abroad. Meanwhile, domestic sales increased: 129,274 light vehicles were sold, up 7.9% year over year, compared with 2.2% previously. From January to September, cumulative production totaled 2,946,943 vehicles, down 2.4% year over year; sales reached 1,143,988 units, up 5.0%; and exports stood at 2,528,623 units, down 1.5% year over year.

Chart 1: Mexico: Light Vehicles Sector

—Rodolfo Mitchell, Miguel Saldaña & Martha Cordova