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August 10, 2026 . The Mexican automotive industry registered a slowdown in the production and export of light vehicles during July 2026, while domestic sales maintained a positive trajectory and reached their highest level for a January-July period on record.
According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) released by the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA), 302,673 light vehicles were produced in July, a 2.2% decrease compared to the units manufactured in the same month of 2025.
Despite the setback, the volume represented the third best July in the historical series, only behind the records of July 2025 and July 2017.
Between January and July, production accumulated 2,298,977 units, 0.7% less than in the same period of 2025 and the fourth largest volume for a January-July period.
Automotive exports fall 9.7% during July
The behavior of exports showed a more pronounced reduction. In July, automakers established in Mexico shipped 261,534 light vehicles abroad, a 9.7% decrease compared to the same month of the previous year. In the accumulated total of the first seven months of the year, exports totaled 1,950,779 units, a 0.3% reduction compared to January-July 2025.
Although the result was negative, the exported volume placed 2026 as the fourth best January-July accumulated total on record.
The evolution of exports gains relevance for the Mexican industry due to the high weight that the United States market has within the shipments of vehicles produced in the country, particularly given the commercial conditions faced by automakers and the revision of the USMCA.
In contrast to production and exports, the domestic market maintained a favorable performance.
During July, 130,835 light vehicles were sold, a 3.4% growth compared to the same month of 2025. With this result, July became the second best month of July in sales within the historical series.
The accumulated performance was even more relevant. Between January and July, sales reached 885,353 units, a 5.0% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
This volume represents the highest level of sales for a January-July period since 2005, the year in which the historical series began.
While national sales continue to grow, production and exports present moderate adjustments in the accumulated total of the year.
Electrified vehicles raise their participation in the Mexican market
The commercialization of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles maintained a growth rate considerably superior to that of the general market.
In July, 17,276 electrified units were sold, a 61.9% increase compared to the same month of 2025. These units represented 13.2% of total light vehicle sales during the month.
In the accumulated total of 2026, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles reached a market share of 12.7%.
Conventional hybrids concentrated the majority of sales, with 11,207 units, equivalent to 64.9% of total electrified vehicles commercialized in July.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) represented 18.7%, with 3,232 units, while 100% electric vehicles (BEVs) totaled 2,837 units, equivalent to 16.4 percent.
With July's data, the domestic market remains one of the main positive points for the automotive industry in 2026, while the behavior of exports will continue to be a relevant indicator to measure the performance of Mexican plants during the second half of the year.
Author: Israel Molina
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