Manuel Montoya, director of CLAUT, stressed that the T-MEC is key to shield Mexico from the tariff war. He urged to comply with rules of origin and strengthen regional integration to compete against China and attract automotive investment.

According to the CLAUT, 2024 has been the best year in the history of the Mexican automotive industry, reaching a production of 3.98 million light vehicles, a figure close to the desired goal of 4 million. Of these, 3.47 million were destined for export, with the United States being the main destination with almost 80% of the total. "The Mexican automotive industry is essentially an export industry

As for Mexico's participation in the region, of the almost 16 million vehicles produced in North America, 10 million correspond to the United States, 4 million to Mexico and just over one million to Canada. However, the growth in Mexico has not translated into a regional increase due to the increase in imports, especially from China.

One of the most sensitive points reported is that 300,000 cars imported from China were sold, many without a single part made in Mexico.

In 2023, Mexico produced $124 billion worth of auto parts, although Montoya recalled that the U.S. industry is still three times larger. Coahuila, Guanajuato and Nuevo León lead production in Mexico, concentrating around 13% each.