- Mexico's light vehicle exports increased 1.7% year-on-year in May 2026 to 306,288 units.
- Canada, Germany and Brazil recorded strong growth in vehicle imports from Mexico despite lower shipments to the U.S.
Automakers operating manufacturing facilities in Mexico exported 306,288 light vehicles during May 2026, representing a 1.7% increase compared with 301,112 units shipped during the same month in 2025. The latest figures released by INEGI indicate that export activity remained resilient despite varied performances among major vehicle manufacturers. Growth from several brands helped offset declines recorded by other automakers, allowing the overall export volume to remain on an upward trajectory during the month.
OEM Export Performance Shows Mixed Results
Several manufacturers posted notable export gains in May 2026. Mazda recorded the strongest percentage growth, with exports increasing 72.5% year-on-year to 5,927 units. Chrysler followed with a 63.6% rise to 50,583 units, while Volkswagen achieved a 52.5% increase to 25,452 units. Mercedes-Benz also reported positive momentum, expanding exports by 5.4% to reach 4,144 units. These gains provided meaningful support to the country's overall export performance during the month.
Major Export Changes by Automaker in May 2026
The following table summarizes the export performance of major vehicle manufacturers operating in Mexico during May 2026.
| OEM | Export Volume | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda | 5,927 | +72.5% |
| Chrysler | 50,583 | +63.6% |
| Volkswagen | 25,452 | +52.5% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 4,144 | +5.4% |
| GM | 69,384 | -0.9% |
Not all manufacturers experienced growth. Acura reported a 25.2% decline in exports to 3,566 units, while Audi exports fell 23.8% to 11,822 units. Honda shipments dropped 20.7% to 14,319 units, and Nissan exports decreased 19.6% to 30,190 units. Ford recorded an 18.3% decline to 35,578 units, while BMW Group exports were down 6.7% to 8,220 units. Kia, Toyota and GM also registered modest decreases compared with May 2025.
Cumulative Export Volumes Remain Positive
For the January-May 2026 period, cumulative vehicle exports from Mexico reached 1,388,236 units, reflecting a 4.0% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2025. The result demonstrates that export demand remained healthy across multiple international markets despite fluctuations in monthly performance among individual manufacturers. Sustained production levels and stronger demand from several regions contributed to the positive year-to-date outcome.
Export Destinations Show Shifting Demand Patterns
Destination market data revealed significant changes across key export regions. Shipments to the United States declined 3.2% year-on-year to 1,047,208 units during the first five months of 2026. In contrast, exports to Canada increased 29.0% to 173,033 units, while exports to Germany climbed 32.7% to 42,205 units. These gains indicate growing demand from several markets outside Mexico's largest export destination.
Among the most notable developments, export volumes to Brazil nearly tripled from the previous year, reaching 24,266 units. Mexico also expanded shipments across several Latin American markets, including Colombia, El Salvador and Argentina. The broader regional growth helped diversify export demand and partially offset weaker performance in the U.S. market, supporting overall vehicle export expansion during the first five months of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many light vehicles did Mexico export in May 2026?
Mexico exported 306,288 light vehicles in May 2026, representing a 1.7% increase compared with May 2025. The growth was supported by strong export gains from several manufacturers, including Mazda, Chrysler and Volkswagen. Despite declines recorded by a number of major automakers, overall export volumes remained positive, reflecting continued international demand for vehicles produced at manufacturing facilities across Mexico.
Which export destinations showed the strongest growth in 2026?
Canada, Germany and Brazil were among the strongest-performing export destinations for Mexican-built vehicles during the January-May 2026 period. Exports to Canada rose 29.0%, shipments to Germany increased 32.7%, and volumes sent to Brazil nearly tripled compared with the previous year. These markets helped compensate for lower exports to the United States and contributed to Mexico's overall increase in vehicle export volumes.
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