LatinNews Daily - 08 July 2026

*Mexico’s national statistics institute (Inegi) has reported that exports and production of light vehicles dropped year-on-year in June, while sales increased. Exports were down by 9.2% year-on-year, with 301,009 units exported, while production dropped 1.9%, with 354,221 units produced. Sales were up 7.7%, with 126,902 vehicles sold in June. Sales and exports were also up in the first six months of the year as compared to the same period of 2025. Sales were up 5.3% with 754,518 units sold and exports up 1.4% to reach 1.7m. However, production was down 0.4% between January and June 2026 with 2.0m units produced. The automotive sector, which is subject to US tariffs, is facing increasing uncertainty due to the failure of the US to extend the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) earlier this month. While Mexico’s government led by President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied the decision will impact industry, some companies that manufacture in Mexico and mainly sell to the US are choosing to relocate. On 6 July Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it was investing US$3.6bn in its San Antonio plant in Texas, where it will transfer the production of the Tacoma mid-size pickup truck from its plant in Mexico’s Baja California state over the next four years. On social media, US President Donald Trump attributed Toyota’s move to his tariff policy, stating it was “a really big deal”.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 241 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial