BYD Reaches 80,000 Sales, 80 Stores in Mexico Amid Tariff Threats

BYD has exceeded 80,000 vehicles sales and established 80 dealership locations in Mexico within a few months, placing the country among the automaker’s top seven global markets. The milestone was announced during the opening of a new dealership in Santa Monica, State of Mexico.

“Mexico has already surpassed 80,000 vehicles sold and reached 80 stores in just a few months,” said Jorge Vallejo, General Director, BYD Mexico. “This achievement reflects a compelling product lineup, a robust strategy, and, most importantly, a highly professional and passionate Mexican team.” Vallejo emphasized that BYD is delivering record-breaking performance, with Mexico positioned to enter the company’s global top five markets.

“Our commitment is to offer electric and hybrid vehicles that meet the highest quality standards,” Vallejo added, noting that the brand prioritizes long-term customer relationships over one-time transactions.

However, this rapid growth now faces a potential obstacle. The Mexican government announced plans to raise import tariffs on Asian vehicles, particularly those from China, from 20% to 50%. The policy, unveiled by Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, aims to support domestic manufacturing and address pricing disparities in the automotive sector. “Vehicles entering from China are priced below market reference levels,” Ebrard stated. He added that the 50% rate represents the maximum allowed under World Trade Organization rules for developing countries such as Mexico.

The government estimates the reforms could generate approximately US$3.76 billion in additional revenue by 2026. For BYD, this introduces uncertainty, particularly as the company has not yet reported sales data to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), limiting visibility into its actual market share.

Additionally BYD’s decision to withhold sales reporting from INEGI has prompted concerns within the automotive industry. While overall imports of Chinese-made vehicles rose to over 108,000 units in the first half of 2025—a 39.6% increase from 2024—52% of those units came from brands that do not provide official sales data. Industry organizations, including the Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA), are advocating for regulatory reforms to enforce transparency and fair competition.