This year, Mexico became the world’s largest buyer of Chinese-made cars, according to figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), importing 138,643 automobiles in the first quarter of the year.
These exported cars range from Chinese brands to companies like GM, Ford, Chrysler, Kia, and Peugeot, which have plants in China.
According to Jorge Guajardo, former Mexican Ambassador to China and partner at the consulting firm DGA Group, there was a growing trend of car exports from China to Mexico, which accelerated after some nations began imposing tariffs, such as Russia, which has imposed 50% tariffs on them since March.
“Mexico is the main destination for Chinese car exports. More than 50% of these cars are from GM, not Chinese brands. A good percentage are from Ford, Kia, and other brands that are exporting heavily.
“What’s going on? These brands set up factories for the Chinese market, where they had a very favorable position, and in the last three years, they lost half of their market share. They went from having 64% of the Chinese market to 32% because Chinese companies overtook them.
“BYD, JAC, SAIC, etc., devoured the Chinese market, and (the non-Chinese brands) were left with very large plants in China, which are now using that capacity to export,” he explained.
This has meant that this year, Mexico has overtaken Russia as the main destination for Chinese vehicles.
CPCA figures show that the main markets after Mexico are the United Arab Emirates, which bought 107,908 units from China in the quarter, and Russia with 99,333.
Guajardo emphasized that the tariffs that led to a drop in imports of cars made in China to other countries have paved the way for Mexico to become the main destination.
The Chinese news site Jing Daily reported that in the first quarter of the year, China exported 1.54 million vehicles to the world, 16% more than the same period in 2024, which means that 9% of the total reached Mexico.
“This growth was driven by the improved competitiveness of Chinese automotive products and growing demand in markets in the Global South. Mexico topped the list with 138,600 vehicles,” Jing Daily reported.
Source: reforma
