Mexico’s Auto Loans Grow 2.6%, Cover Most New Sales

Mexico’s auto financing market grew 2.6% in the first half of 2025, totaling 430,587 new vehicle loans, according to the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA). This represented 60.7% of all new vehicle sales from January to June—the highest first-semester rate in five years.

“Automakers sold 430,587 units through the three main credit options, a 2.6% increase with 10,978 more vehicles financed,” said Guillermo Rosales, AMDA president. He noted that financing has become the primary method of vehicle acquisition, despite a slight 0.2% decline in total new vehicle sales, which reached 709,341 units.

Brand-affiliated financial companies led with 341,908 units (79.4%), followed by banks with 83,127 (19.3%), and auto-financing schemes with 5,552 units (1.3%).

Financing penetration varied geographically. Ten states recorded credit participation rates of 70% or higher, while 14 fell below the national average. Tamaulipas had the highest rate at 83.3%, followed by Sonora (81.9%), Baja California (80.7%), and Quintana Roo (80.3%). Other states above 75% included Aguascalientes, Queretaro, Puebla, Yucatan, Chihuahua, Colima, Sinaloa, Campeche, and Baja California Sur.

Coahuila reached 69.7% of new car sales via financing in 2024, surpassing 70% by May. Edgar Zavala of Chevrolet Saltillo noted that roughly 30% of vehicles are purchased in cash, with most others financed.

Autofinancing remains a small but resilient market, accounting for 1.2% of vehicle financing in 2025. This model appeals to buyers without credit history or liquidity, particularly in states like Coahuila. Participants make regular payments into a collective savings fund, with vehicles delivered through monthly draws or advance payment mechanisms. Rocío Niño of Grupo VAMSA described autofinancing as “planned, flexible, and adaptable,” serving about 30 million Mexicans without traditional credit.

However, the model faces challenges, including delayed delivery, early-access fees, and regulatory concerns. Between March 2024 and March 2025, Mexico’s consumer protection agency Profeco received 244 complaints against autofinancing firms in Saltillo and Torreon, citing delayed delivery and withheld refunds involving firms such as ADC Servicios Globales, ANM Motor, and FaceCar.

Despite its small share, automakers continue promoting autofinancing schemes—like Honda’s Auto Amecah and Nissan’s Sicrea—to reach underbanked consumers. AMDA views the model as a tool to maintain vehicle access for families and SMEs during economic slowdowns.

Data from Urban Science shows 60-month terms remain most common for traditional financing, followed by 72-, 48-, and 36-month plans, with 36-month terms dominating in luxury and sports segments.