Mexico production rose 19.0% vs. year-ago in January to 255,186 vehicles, with output for the domestic market jumping 32.4% and export builds increasing 15.3%, according to WardsAuto data.
Among the Detroit Three auto makers, General Motors Mexico’s build rate spiked the highest, up 58.9% vs. like-2012. Ford Mexico production rose a healthy 44.1%, while Chrysler Mexico output slid 20.6%. Overall Detroit Three production was up 26.1% to 130,828.
Production by Asian auto makers grew at a slower pace, with Nissan Mexico posting a 5.3% year-over-year rise and Toyota Mexico up 8.0%. Honda Mexico assemblies increased 1.5%.
Light-vehicle sales in January grew 12.0% to 84,095 units, as light-truck deliveries gained 9.4% to 28,606 and cars rose 13.3% to 55,489.
In the car sector, Detroit Three sales jumped 13.4% to 17,480. Chrysler and Ford deliveries were up 48.0% and 27.0%, respectively, while GM sales grew a more modest 4.7%.
Car deliveries among Asian brands increased 10.8% to 21,415, with volume-leader Nissan posting a 14.8% jump to 14,758. Honda surged 49.5%, while Toyota sales fell 14.9%.
Sales of European-brand cars climbed 16.7% to 16,594 units, largely due to a 23.9% hike in Volkswagen Mexico deliveries. Renault Mexico and Fiat Mexico posted drops of 36.4% and 31.0%, respectively.
Individual cars performing well in January included the Ford Fusion (up 206.3%), Chevrolet Malibu (130.2%), Honda Accord (209.3%) and Toyota Avanza (278.8%).
Detroit Three light-truck deliveries rose a scant 2.1% to 11,563 units. GM posted a 23.9% increase, offsetting Ford’s 14.7% decline. Chrysler sales were flat vs. year-ago.
Asian auto makers saw light-truck sales gain 8.1% to 13,608 units, buoyed by Toyota’s 29.7% increase. Nissan deliveries rose 14.2%, while Honda sales were flat compared with like-2012.
European light-truck deliveries soared 54.1%, albeit on modest volume of 3,221 units. VW accounted for the bulk of that total, with a 21.2% year-over-year increase to 1,510. Renault sales spiked 204.8% to 957, while Fiat Mexico deliveries grew 187.0% to 66.
Standouts among individual light-truck nameplates included the Ford EcoSport (up 338.5%), Nissan Pathfinder (376.7%), Mitsubishi L200 (102.5%) and Chevrolet Traverse (57.5%).
