Mexico exported 277,369 light vehicles in September, down 11.9% from a year earlier, according to statistics agency INEGI’s monthly data. It was the steepest annual decline since December 2025, Reuters reported. Production fell 15.1% to 301,803 units, while domestic sales rose 7.9%.
INEGI’s report includes specific export data by carmakers:
Nissan’s exports fell 33%, Stellantis’ 20.4%, Ford’s 13.2% and GM’s 7.5%.
Mercedes-Benz exported no vehicles. The Aguascalientes plant it ran with Nissan closed in May. Reuters said it was the first month without Mercedes exports from Mexico in eight years.
Mazda’s exports more than doubled. BMW’s rose 94.5% and Kia’s 8.2%.
The downturn comes as Mexican-built vehicles face US tariffs of up to 25%. Mexican officials estimate that vehicles meeting USMCA rules on North American content face an effective rate of 10% to 12%. Trade policy uncertainty has also affected automakers’ production and investment decisions. General Motors announced a $4 billion plan last year to shift some production from Mexico to US plants.
Exports to the US fell 5% in the first nine months of the year, according to AMIA, Mexico’s auto industry association. Exports to Canada rose just over 9%.
Janneth Quiroz, economic analysis director at Monex, called September’s figures “a warning sign rather than a crisis signal.” She warned that continued declines into 2027 could indicate a more structural problem for Mexican manufacturing.
The US, Mexico and Canada are preparing for the 2027 review of their trade agreement. The USTR is accepting public comments through Jan. 12.
