The light vehicle market in Mexico achieved a record high in the first nine months of 2026, with 1,144,002 new light vehicles sold, a 5% increase from the same period in 2025. This surge was fueled by increased inventory, fierce competition among various automotive brands, and a slight decline in retail auto prices.
Key Highlights:
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Record Sales:
- 1,144,002 vehicles sold from January to September 2026, a gain of 54,851 units compared to 2025.
- This represents the highest cumulative sales period recorded by INEGI, surpassing the previous record from 2016.
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September Performance:
- September 2026 saw 129,288 vehicles sold, an 8% year-over-year growth.
- This figure exceeded AMDA’s expectations by 8.2% and was close to the all-time monthly high of 131,888 units in September 2016.
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Market Leaders:
- Nissan, General Motors (GM), Volkswagen (VW), and Toyota remained the top automotive groups.
- Chinese brand Geely notably saw a 91% increase in sales.
Pricing and Economic Factors:
- Pricing Trends: Overall retail auto prices slightly declined, contributing to increased market activity.
- Economic Predictions: Inflation rates and GDP growth expectations suggest continued but moderated growth in the automotive sector moving into late 2026, especially affected by new tariffs on imports from China.
The outlook for the automotive market remains positive, with various automakers adapting to market conditions to sustain their competitive positions.
