AMIA Urges Sheinbaum to Fast-Track Electromobility in Mexico

The Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA) is urging Claudia Sheinbaum's administration to develop a comprehensive electromobility policy. The aim is to fast-track Mexico's shift from traditional combustion engines to green technologies, ensuring the country remains among the top ten global vehicle manufacturers while strengthening its position in both the North American and global markets over the next 30 years.

To support this transition, AMIA has presented a detailed ten-point agenda to the Sheinbaum administration, centered around three main priorities:

• Technological Diversity: Policies should embrace a variety of emerging technologies, including hybrid, electric, and hydrogen-powered vehicles, ensuring their inclusion in the national strategy.

• Support for Manufacturing: The agenda stresses the importance of fostering an environment conducive to vehicle and component manufacturing, which includes reliable energy sources, effective logistics, strong infrastructure, and legal certainty for investors.

• Charging Infrastructure: A nationwide charging network is essential for the widespread adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles within the domestic market.

Odracir Barquera, General Director, AMIA, emphasized the sector's importance at the Business Automotive Meeting (BAM) 2024, organized by Universidad Iberoamericana and the Metropolitan Automotive Cluster. "NAFTA played a crucial role in consolidating the automotive industry, and now electromobility will define Mexico's position for the next 30 years," he stated.

Barquera highlighted that the automotive industry currently ranks as the seventh-largest producer of light vehicles globally, generating substantial foreign currency and attracting significant investment. In 2024, the industry is expected to see record levels of production, exports, and sales, with a growing share of electric and hybrid vehicles complementing traditional combustion-powered models.

He also pointed out that the shift towards electromobility offers Mexico an opportunity to capitalize on nearshoring trends, potentially driving economic growth comparable to the success seen during the NAFTA era. "This represents a historic opportunity for both the automotive sector and the nation," Barquera concluded.