Mexico’s 1Q26 light vehicle market grows 3.7% YoY

The Mexican light vehicle market recorded a historic performance during 1Q26, achieving its highest cumulative sales volume on record despite a stabilization in year-over-year growth rates.

According to data from INEGI, total sales from January to March 2026 reached 381,632 units, up 3.7% from 367,989 units in the same period of 2025, representing an additional 13,643 vehicles entering the domestic market.

Quarterly Performance and Market Dynamics

In March 2026 alone, the industry sold 131,548 light vehicles, a 2.4% increase over March 2025, making it the second-highest March on record, behind only 2018. Compared with February 2026, sales surged 11.2%.

Guillermo Rosales, president, AMDA, attributed the month-over-month acceleration to aggressive promotional campaigns by automakers. “The 11.2% increase in March reflects targeted market interventions that boosted consumer activity,” he said.

Comprehensive Market Inclusion

AMDA noted that actual market volume is likely higher when accounting for emerging brands not yet reporting to INEGI, such as BYD, GAC, Chery, and Omoda. Including these manufacturers, AMDA estimated that March 2026 sales would total 140,146 units, a 3.8% increase over March 2025, confirming the highest March sales ever recorded.

The first-quarter results were supported by strong January sales, offsetting a slight 0.3% decline in February. Analysts highlighted that this record-breaking quarter occurred “amid early-year consumer caution,” indicating resilient demand for new light vehicles in Mexico’s domestic market.

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