Production in Mexico in December slid 1.1% to 188,476 vehicles, weighed down by a 7.6% drop in output for export that more than offset a 28.0% jump in domestic-market builds.
For full-year 2012, production in Mexico rose 12.0% to 3,002,974 units, with domestic output up 9.5% and builds for export increasing 12.6%, according to WardsAuto data.
Detroit Three production rose 4.0% for the month to 99,228 units, as General Motors Mexico and Chrysler Mexico turned in increases of 18.1% and 7.1%, respectively. Ford Mexico reported a 12.4% drop vs. year-ago to 30,377.
Big Three output in 2012 climbed 9.6% to 1,468,752 vehicles, with Chrysler’s 33.6% hike leading the way. GM posted a 4.7% increase, while Ford slid 2.4% from prior-year.
Honda Mexico production spiked 55.2% in December and 36.1% for entire 2012, while Toyota Mexico output rose 12.5% during the month and 12.3% for the year. Nissan Mexico builds fell 11.6% last month, but climbed 12.6% for the year.
Volkswagen Mexico production dropped 0.6% in December, but the auto maker posted an 18.5% increase for 2012 overall.
Industry light-vehicle deliveries in Mexico fell 0.6% in the month from prior-year, with light-truck sales flat and car demand dipping 0.8%. LV volume rose 9.0% to 985,851 units for entire 2012.
Detroit Three auto makers saw car sales inch up 1.5% in December to 25,213. Chrysler deliveries rose 12.4%, while GM results were flat and Ford volume dropped 0.5%.
For the year, the three auto makers combined for a 17.1% hike in car sales to 211,326, with Ford up 24.3%, Chrysler gaining 15.9% and GM up 15.6%.
Asia-brand car sales were off 4.1% vs. year-ago in December to 27,762, as Honda and Toyota posted declines of 6.1% and 8.3%, respectively, and Nissan volume fell 0.8%.
For full-year 2012, Asian auto makers increased car sales 4.8% to 239,894. Nissan led the way on a volume basis with a 4.3% uptick to 167,607 units. Toyota and Honda deliveries rose 20.2% and 8.9%, respectively.
Top-volume nameplates in 2012 included the Ford Fusion, up 11.7% for the year, as well as the Chevrolet Matiz (up 30.4%), Chevrolet Spark (up 47.0%), Nissan Versa (up 127.4%) and Volkswagen Jetta (down 8.8%).
In the light-truck segment, Detroit Three deliveries fell 12.6% in December to 15,862. All three posted declines, with Ford off 31.8%, Chrysler down 9.6% and GM 7.1% below year-ago.
For all of 2012, Detroit auto makers posted a 6.9% drop in light-truck deliveries. Chrysler bucked the trend, gaining 3.2%. Ford and GM sales fell 19.6% and 3.6%, respectively.
Nissan saw light-truck deliveries rise 3.6% in December, while Honda and Toyota posted 39.0% and 15.6% gains, respectively.
For full-year 2012, Honda recorded a 76.8% gain and Toyota and Nissan each saw volume jump 21.9%.
Light-truck volume leaders in 2012 included the Ford F-Series, down 2.6% for the year; Honda CR-V, up 139.0%; Ram pickup, rising 9.3%; and Chevrolet Silverado, up 2.2%.
