Mexico Sees Double-Digit Production Growth in July

Mexican car and light-truck production in July jumped 15.5% vs. prior-year to 215,670 units, as builds for export climbed 14.7% and domestic output soared 18.8%, according to Ward’s data.

The Detroit Three auto makers saw a combined 36.2% production gain, largely due to strong showings by Ford Mexico and Chrysler Mexico, which posted 65.1% and 70.2% increases, respectively. General Motors Mexico chipped in with a modest 6.9% jump in output.

Jeep Compass sales in Mexico up 155.3% in July.

Asian auto makers didn’t fare as well in July. Production by volume-leader Nissan Mexico and by Honda Mexico fell 26.9% and 40.4%, respectively. Toyota Mexico, which only produces trucks in the country, posted a 27.5% increase.

Related document: Ward’s Mexico Production by Vehicle Line

Mexico’s new-car sales in July rose 21.5% from year-ago to 45,136 units, while light-truck deliveries saw a 2.5% increase to 23,259.

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

Detroit auto makers recorded 13,791 new-car sales in the month, for a combined 19.1% jump from like-2010. GM and Chrysler posted increases of 16.7% and 26.9%, respectively, while Ford deliveries climbed 22.1%.

Asian auto makers recorded mixed results, with passenger-car sales rising a combined 11.7% to 16,989 units. Mazda Mexico and Honda deliveries slipped 11.4% and 0.2%, respectively, while Nissan sales jumped 25.4% and Subaru Mexico car sales soared 42.6%, albeit on a mere 22 units.

Total European car sales numbered 14,356, a 38.5% jump over year-ago. Leading the way on a volume basis was Volkswagen Mexico with 10,419 deliveries, a 40.4% hike.

Among individual models, sales of the Volkswagen Jetta grew 136.4% to 7,369 units in July, and the Chevrolet Aveo posted a 26.8% gain to 2,993.

In the light-truck sector, Ford was the standout among the Detroit Three with a 13.3% year-over-year jump to 4,408. GM and Chrysler followed with increases of 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively.

Asian light-truck deliveries were off a combined 1.1% to 8,813, as Honda and Toyota deliveries fell 25.2% and 4.0%, respectively. Nissan posted a meager 0.5% gain to 4,480.

European truck deliveries were off 1.8% to 2,370. Leading the way in percentage gains were BMW Mexico, up 126.4% to 238, and Porsche Mexico, which enjoyed a 50.4% uptick to 29 units.

Stand-out light-truck models included the Jeep Compass, posting a 155.3% increase to 384 units, and the Honda Odyssey, with a 134.7% year-over-year jump on 249 deliveries.

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