According to data published by AMIA (Asociacion Mexicana De La Industria Automotriz), in the first half of 2018, Mexican vehicle exports grew by 10.5 percent, while production increased by 6.4 percent, compared to 2017. These increases reflect the positive trend in demand for motor vehicles (up 5 percent in June 2018) in the U.S. market, Mexico's main sectoral export outlet. Although domestic consumption continues to decline (-8.4 percent in June 2018), the outlook for Mexico's auto sector remains optimistic.
The Italian steel company, ASO Group was recently awarded a €16 million loan from a consortium of lenders consisting of UniCredit, BNL BNP Paribas Group, thanks to internationalization programs offered by SIMEST and SACE. The financing will be used to support the group's business development strategy, which includes production investments in the Latin American country.