Mexico. The auto parts industry in Mexico registered during the first quarter of 2026 the highest level of production for a similar period since records began, reaching a value of 31,185 million dollars, according to figures from the National Auto Parts Industry (INA).
The result represented a growth of 9.58% compared to the same period in 2025, mainly driven by the performance recorded in March, when production reached 10,918 million dollars, which meant a year-on-year increase of 7.93%.
According to the INA, the positive performance of domestic manufacturing was supported by the strength of the U.S. automotive market, the main destination for Mexican exports of automotive components and one of the key factors that continue to drive investments in the sector.
Electrical parts lead national production
Electrical parts remained the main segment of auto parts production in Mexico during the period analyzed, with a value of 6,102 million dollars, equivalent to 19.6% of the national total. In addition, this segment registered a growth of 11.59% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Among the components with the highest participation were also transmissions and clutches, with a production of 2,936 million dollars; fabrics, carpets and seats, with 2,829 million dollars; engine parts, with 2,494 million dollars; and gasoline engines, which reached 1,967 million dollars. This last segment was the one that presented the highest growth among the main product groups, registering an advance of 41.75% compared to the same period of the previous year. Together, these five segments accounted for 52.4% of all national auto parts production during the first quarter of 2026.
North Zone and Bajío maintain productive leadership
By region, the Central Zone was the one that showed the highest percentage growth, with an increase of 10.38% and a total production of 4,656 million dollars. The Bajío Zone reached a production of 11,267 million dollars, equivalent to a growth of 9.88%, while the Northern Zone registered 13,671 million dollars and an advance of 8.52%. At the state level, Coahuila remained the main producer of auto parts in the country, concentrating 15.6% of national production, equivalent to 4,860 million dollars. Guanajuato ranked second with 4,279 million dollars and a share of 13.7%, followed by Nuevo León, which recorded a production of 4,049 million dollars and represented 13% of the national total.
Exports and foreign investment strengthen the sector
The INA reported that the industry maintained a positive trade balance of 9,973 million during the first quarter of 2026. Exports reached 27,124 million dollars, while imports totaled 17,152 million dollars. The United States continued to be the sector's main trading partner, accounting for 87.3% of Mexican auto parts exports. In addition, Mexico reached a historic share of 44.67% in total imports of auto parts made by the United States during the first quarter of the year, consolidating itself as its main supplier worldwide. In terms of investment, the sector attracted 434 million dollars of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the first three months of 2026. With this, the accumulated collection between 2018 and the first quarter of 2026 amounted to 21,526 million dollars.
The United States remained the main investor in the Mexican auto parts industry, with a share of 43.8% of accumulated FDI. It was followed by Germany, with 19.8%, and Japan, with 15.9%. By state, Nuevo León concentrated 26.3% of the accumulated foreign investment in the sector, followed by Chihuahua with 14.2% and Coahuila with 11.6%, reaffirming the relevance of these regions in the development of the Mexican automotive supply chain.
