Mexico’s auto exports to the U.S. fell sharply in the first two months of 2026, even as the country’s overall exports to the U.S. increased.
The details: Vehicle and parts imports from Mexico have been steadily declining since President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs last year on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, with the impact on the sector now coming into clearer view, according to a report by Mexico News Daily.
The value of Mexico’s auto-sector exports to the U.S. fell 13.4% year over year in the first two months of 2026, according to U.S. data.
Mexico’s motor vehicle and parts exports to the U.S. totaled $23.15 billion in January and February, down from $26.74 billion a year earlier.
Exports of passenger cars to the U.S. were worth $5.14 billion in the first two months of 2026, down 27.5% from $7.1 billion in the same period of 2025.
Two-way auto-sector trade between the U.S. and Mexico totaled $29.12 billion in January and February, down 12.7% from $33.37 billion a year earlier.
In 2025, Mexico’s overall auto-sector exports fell 4.2% YoY to $185.79 billion as the country began to feel the impact of the tariffs, with nearly 80% of all its auto exports going to the U.S.
What this all means: The numbers are another sign that tariffs are putting pressure on one of the most interconnected vehicle supply chains in the world, with sustained disruption in U.S.-Mexico auto trade likely to affect pricing, availability, and model mix on dealership lots.
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Worth noting: The January-February trade figures for Mexico’s overall U.S. exports looked very different from the auto sector’s, underscoring the unique complexity of automotive trade.
Mexico’s overall revenue from goods shipped to the U.S. rose 4.2% YoY to $86.82 billion in January and February.
U.S. exports to Mexico totaled $60.49 billion in the first two months of the year, up 10.6% from the same period of 2025.
Two-way trade overall between the neighboring countries increased 6.2% YoY to $147.32 billion during the period.
In the first two months of the year, Mexico’s share of the U.S. import market rose to 16.9% from 13.8% a year earlier.
Bottom line: While overall U.S.-Mexico trade is still growing, automotive is proving more vulnerable to tariff pressure, meaning dealers should watch how policy-driven shifts in cross-border vehicle and parts flow translate into higher costs and tighter inventory in key segments.
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