Mexican Vehicle Exports to US Rise in August Amid Flat
Mexico's light-vehicle exports increased 1.3% year-over-year in August 2026, with the US taking 76.3% of shipments, while overall production declined
Mexico's automotive sector saw exports rise in August 2026 even as production dipped, according to preliminary data from the country's National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The nation exported 300,475 light vehicles, a 1.3% increase from the 296,734 units shipped in August 2025.
Production for the month, however, fell 1.4% to 344,940 vehicles compared to the same month last year. For the first eight months of 2026, both production and exports remain nearly flat compared to the 2025 period.
Export Markets and Year-to-Date Figures
The United States stays as the dominant destination for Mexican-made vehicles. From January through August 2026, Mexico shipped 1.72 million light vehicles to the US, accounting for 76.3% of its total vehicle exports. Canada was a distant second, receiving 281,502 vehicles, or 12.5% of the total.
Mexico exported 2.25 million light vehicles in the first eight months of the year, a marginal decline of 0.06% from the comparable 2025 period. Production for the year-to-date stands at 2.65 million units, down 0.7%.
Manufacturer Performance in August
General Motors led all manufacturers in both production and exports for the month. The company produced 79,230 vehicles in Mexico during August, an 18.1% year-over-year increase, and exported 74,842 units, a 16.8% rise.
Other major producers showed mixed results. Nissan's output fell sharply while its exports grew slightly, and Ford recorded significant declines in both categories.
| Manufacturer | August 2026 Production | Year-over-Year Change | August 2026 Exports | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors | 79,230 | +18.1% | 74,842 | +16.8% |
| Nissan | 48,615 | -26% | 38,881 | +3.5% |
| Stellantis | 36,505 | -3.8% | 36,497 | +15% |
| Volkswagen | 35,634 | +3.5% | 29,491 | +3.5% |
| Kia | 28,883 | +10.2% | N/A | N/A |
| Ford | 27,770 | -25.7% | 22,166 | -41.3% |
| Toyota | 26,755 | -3% | N/A | N/A |
| Honda | 16,488 | +30.7% | N/A | N/A |
| BMW Group | 9,391 | +359% | N/A | N/A |
| Mercedes-Benz | 50 | -99% | N/A | N/A |
Source: INEGI preliminary data for August 2026. N/A indicates export figures for that manufacturer were not detailed in the source report.
Broader Industry Trends
The August results did little to shift the overarching narrative for Mexico's auto industry in 2026. Light trucks continue to dominate the production mix, accounting for 79.3% of the 2.65 million vehicles made from January through August.
On a year-to-date basis, General Motors maintained its production lead with 600,912 vehicles, a 4.2% increase. Stellantis and Volkswagen also posted strong gains for the eight-month period. In contrast, Nissan's production fell 25.1% to 340,683 vehicles.
The INEGI data shows the sector's critical dependence on US trade. More than three-quarters of Mexico's vehicle exports are destined for its northern neighbor, making the industry highly sensitive to shifts in US trade policy and a major driver of cross-border freight movements.
