Armored-Vehicle Industry Grows 8% in 2022

The Mexican Association of Vehicle Armorers (AMBA) reported industry growth of 8% in 2022. Analysts pointed out that violence rates in the country have boosted demand for these kinds of vehicles.

In 2022, a total of 3,500 armored units were commercialized in the Mexican market. Overall, 65% of the vehicles had level 3 armor, while 15% of the purchased cars had level 4 armor. Level 5 armor reached represented 16% of the units sold, while the remaining 4% correspond to higher armor levels. AMBA represents Auto Safe, Autowerk, Ballistic Group, Wendler German Armour, Epel Armour, Global Armor, Protelife Armour Boutique, Total Shield and Safety Carrier (TPS), which marketed 65% of the armored vehicles in Mexico in 2022. 

AMBA highlighted that vehicle armor became relevant again in June 2020, when an armed group attacked Omar García, Minister of Citizen Security in Mexico City. “The minister managed to survive because he was traveling in a Suburban van with level 5 Plus armor, equipped with state-of-the-art glass, ballistic steel and ceramics,” reads AMBA’s statement. The vehicle was sold by Abate Autos Blindados, a company led by José Ramón Abraham. Abraham said that the level 5 Plus armor was designed to stop assault rifles such as the AR-15 machine gun and ammunition up to 7.62 x 51 mm, in accordance with international standards. Additionally, he pointed out that the vehicle involved was one of the five units that Mexico City’s government bought back in 2018.

Abate Autos Blindados is represented by Automotriz Internacional Polanco, an official government supplier firm, through which the Ministry of Citizen Security acquired armored vehicles type SUV 4X4, Motor V8, through a direct award procedure for MX$14.2 million (US$809,587). In 2020, the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City awarded Automotriz Internacional Polanco a contract for the acquisition of three armored trucks model 2020 for MX$8.09 million (US$458,913).