Mexico's auto industry stays stable amid US tariffs as used‑car sales slip

Production and export of vehicles assembled in Mexico held steady in the first half of 2026 despite uncertainty from United States tariff policy. According to UNAM economist Willebaldo Gómez Zuppa, the main impact of the tariffs has been on new investment rather than on the operation of existing plants in Toluca and Cuautitlán Izcalli. Light‑vehicle output reached 1,996,304 units, a 0.4% annual decline, while exports rose 1.4% to 1,689,245 units, keeping the sector’s export trajectory positive.

At the same time, the market for used cars in Mexico shows a modest decline. Sales of semi‑new vehicles fell 1.6% in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, after a 4.34% growth the previous year. Analysts attribute the shift to easier financing for new cars, which has drawn buyers toward zero‑kilometre models. The bulk of new‑car sales now come from vehicles three years old or newer, with most carrying low mileage and selling within 90 days.

Together, these trends illustrate a resilient manufacturing base paired with changing consumer financing preferences that are reshaping vehicle sales dynamics in Mexico.