AMIA Supports New Tariffs as Mexico Targets Chinese Auto Imports

This week, Mexico’s automotive sector faced escalating tariff debates as AMIA backed new measures ahead of the 2026 USMCA review, while Mexico advanced reforms targeting Chinese imports. US industry groups urged preserving USMCA to safeguard investment. Despite new projects totaling US$672 million, Mexico reported declines in heavy-vehicle exports, production and November sales amid global market shifts.

Push the engine to the red line–This is the week in automotive!

AMIA Backs Tariff Plan as 2026 USMCA Review Nears

Mexico’s automotive sector is bracing for legislative decisions on new tariffs for vehicles and auto parts imported from countries that lack a trade agreement with Mexico, while also defining its priorities ahead of the 2026 review of the USMCA. The Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) said the proposed tariffs—reaching up to 35%—are key to safeguarding domestic production and preserving North America’s competitiveness. The association reiterated that the USMCA must remain in force, calling it the only framework that enables the region to compete with global manufacturing hubs.

Mexico’s Heavy-Vehicle Exports Down 22% Amid Soft US Market

Mexico’s heavy-vehicle industry closed November 2025 with  steep declines, reporting a 28% year-over-year drop in production and a 21.9% fall in exports, according to preliminary data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The country assembled 13,108 units and exported 10,367 during the month, reflecting weaker US demand and the effects of recent tariff measures. Year-to-date results show even deeper contractions: production fell 36% to 126,407 units, while exports declined 30.5% to 103,404.

Ford Sales Slip in November but Trucks, Hybrids Lift YTD

Ford sold 164,925 vehicles in the United States in November 2025, coming in just below the 166,373 units reported a year earlier, a 0.9% decrease. Year-to-date sales through November totaled nearly 2 million units, a 5.9% increase compared with the same period in 2024.

Mexico’s Vehicle Output Down 1.46% Through Nov 2025

Mexico’s vehicle production declined 1.46% year over year from January and November 2025, totaling 3.71 million units, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Exports fell 1.6% to 3.16 million vehicles, while domestic sales rose 0.96% to 1.37 million units. INEGI noted that 77.2% of vehicles produced were light trucks, with the remainder being passenger cars.

Mexico Attracts US$672.4 Million in 3Q25 Automotive Investment

Mexico recorded US$672.49 million in automotive investment in 3Q25, distributed across 45 confirmed projects in parts and OEM operations. The quarter was characterized by activity in electronics, lighting, electrification components, wiring systems, and precision structures. According to the source document, investments were concentrated in Queretaro, Nuevo Leon, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Durango, and San Luis Potosi.

Mexico Moves Ahead With New Tariffs on Chinese Automotive Imports

Mexico is moving forward with a tariff reform that would modify 1,463 tariff items across multiple industrial sectors, including automotive, textiles, plastics, steel, and aluminum. The reform, proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to impose tariffs on products from China and countries without a trade agreement with Mexico. The legislative process advanced after the lower house’s Economic, Trade and Competitiveness Commission approved the draft with 10 votes in favor, one against, and eight abstentions. The proposal now moves to a full vote in the Chamber of Deputies.

Advanced Protecting Films Enhance Comfort, Sustainability

We promote the adoption of lightweight, durable, and recyclable products aligned with the circular economy. All our materials are recyclable thermoplastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, nylon, polyamides, and EPDM, which minimizes environmental impact and facilitates component reuse. This allows the industry to meet safety and sustainability standards without compromising performance.

US Groups Urge USTR to Preserve USMCA, Citing Auto Investment

US automotive and manufacturing organizations urged the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to preserve the core structure of the USMCA as the agency evaluates the accord during hearings held Dec. 3–5 in Washington. Industry leaders argued that the agreement has driven more than US$210 billion in US automotive investment and remains essential to North American supply chain integration.

Mexico’s Light-Vehicle Sales Fall 0.3%, Break Growth Streak

Mexico’s light-vehicle market closed November with a 0.3% decline, totaling 148,359 units, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The  drop—505 fewer units than in November 2024—ended the 11-month upward trend recorded since 2021. The decline occurred despite the arrival of two additional Chinese brands, Geely and Jetour-Soueast, as well as the Buen Fin sales period.

China’s Auto Boom Accelerates on Surge in Gasoline Model Exports

China’s gasoline-powered vehicles have become the backbone of the country’s global auto-export surge, driven by excess production capacity and structural shifts triggered by Beijing’s electric-vehicle policies. Gasoline models accounted for 76% of China’s auto exports since 2020, with annual shipments rising from 1 million to an estimated 6.5 million in 2024, according to Automobility. These figures exclude electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The volume of gasoline-only exports was large enough last year to make China the world’s top auto-exporting nation.