Mexico Production, Car Sales Strong in September

Mexico vehicle production in September rose 16.1% vs. prior-year to 236,805 units, with domestic builds climbing 19.1% and output for export up 15.3%.

U.S. Big Three production grew 2.9% to 114,302 units. Chrysler Mexico led the pack with a 21.4% increase. Ford Mexico output jumped 8.0%, while General Motors Mexico builds were down 11.1% compared with like-2010.

Nissan Frontier sales up 134.0% in Mexico in September.

Asian auto makers’ results were mixed, as well. Volume-leader Nissan Mexico saw a 28.9% build increase in September, while Honda Mexico output grew 10.8%. Toyota Mexico was off 2.5%.

Related document: Ward’s Mexico Production by Vehicle Line

Mexico’s new-car sales in September jumped 23.4% from year-ago to 49,664 units, while light trucks fell 5.3% to 23,259. Total light-vehicle deliveries were up 12.2%.

Related document: Ward’s Mexico Car and Light Truck Sales by Line and Brand

Detroit auto makers’ 15,560 new-car sales represented a 31.2% year-over-year increase. Ford and Chrysler deliveries were up a modest 6.1% and 2.6%, respectively, while GM sales spiked 43.8%.

Asian auto makers recorded mixed results, with new-car sales climbing a combined 26.7% to 20,099 units. Subaru Mexico and Honda deliveries dropped 43.8% and 34.7%, respectively, while Nissan’s results jumped 45.1% and Mazda Mexico was up 22.9%.

Standout nameplates included the Ford Focus (up 91.5%), Chevrolet Aveo (up 66.1%), Dodge Atoz (up 22.3%) and Volkswagen Jetta (22.1%).

In the light-truck sector, Chrysler was the only one among the Detroit Three to post a sales increase, albeit a scant 0.8% to 4,332. Ford and GM were off 16.0% and 13.9%, respectively.

Asian makers fared better. Nissan saw light-truck sales grow 13.4% to 5,080 units, while Mazda Mexico surged 59.2% to 1,060.

European light-truck deliveries increased 3.8% to 2,556, paced by BMW Mexico’s 112.4% surge to 291 units.

Other models with impressive September showings included the Jeep Compass (up 101.9%), Lincoln MKX (up 175.0%) and Nissan Frontier (up 134.0%).

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