In November alone, the country exported 289,309 vehicles. From January to November, they exported 3.2 million vehicles. That’s a 6.5% jump compared to last year. A massive chunk of that—76% to be exact—is pickup trucks.
Back in 2017, Mexico hit its all-time high in car production with 3.9 million vehicles. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re just 168,000 vehicles away from smashing that record. With the pace they’re working at, it’s pretty much a done deal. By the end of December, Mexico could officially crown 2024 as its best year ever for car production.
For years, countries like Germany, Japan, and the U.S. dominated this space, but Mexico has been steadily climbing the ranks. It’s now one of the most important players in the global car market.
General Motors (GM) is the one leading the charge. In November alone, GM factories in Mexico exported 75,319 cars and pickup trucks. That’s an 8% jump compared to the same month last year. GM has three massive production complexes in Mexico, located in Ramos Arizpe, Silao, and San Luis Potosi. These plants churn out popular models like the Chevy Silverado, Blazer, Equinox, and GMC Sierra.
And it’s not just GM stealing the spotlight. Nissan is right there in the mix. Their factories shipped out 37,390 cars in November, marking a 40% year-over-year increase. Nissan’s two plants in Mexico are responsible for producing fan favorites like the Sentra and Kicks.
Toyota also had a stellar November. They exported 26,905 vehicles, a 46% jump from the same time last year. Toyota’s focus is on the Tacoma pickup truck and the Corolla sedan, both of which are wildly popular in North America.
Mexico isn’t just producing cars for its own market. In fact, a staggering 87% of the cars made in Mexico are exported. And where do they go? Mostly to the United States, which takes in 80% of those exports. That’s millions of vehicles crossing the border every year.
So how is Mexico doing things right? Manufacturing in Mexico is cheaper than in the U.S. or Europe. This doesn’t just mean lower costs for companies but also competitive pricing for consumers. Second, Mexico has a skilled workforce. The people working in these factories are highly trained, which ensures quality isn’t compromised even with lower costs.
Third, location. Mexico is right next to the U.S., one of the biggest car markets in the world. This proximity makes it easier and cheaper to ship vehicles.
Experts are calling this a new era of expansion for Mexico’s auto industry. Organizations like the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) are thrilled with the progress. They’ve been around since 1951, representing major global automakers like Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen.
AMIA recently pointed out how 2024 is shaping up to be a historic year. They even compared it to 2017, saying that Mexico is well on its way to surpassing its previous records. This is nothing short of a comeback story for an industry that has faced challenges like supply chain disruptions and fluctuating demand in recent years.
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