Mexico Output Grows in August; Truck Sales Slide

Mexico vehicle production in August saw a 10.2% increase compared with year-ago, as a 34.8% spike in domestic output was complemented by a 4.5% gain in builds for export.

The Detroit Three’s production dropped a combined 12.0% to 101,711 units, as Ford Mexico and General Motors Mexico were off 33.4% and 12.3%, respectively, but Chrysler Mexico bucked the trend with a 23.6% surge to 29,557.

Toyota Avanza deliveries up 44.7% in August in Mexico.

Asian auto makers’ production was mixed, with Nissan Mexico and Toyota Mexico posting gains of 52.0% and 6.0%, respectively, while Honda output tumbled 30.2%

Related document: Ward’s Mexico Production by Vehicle Line

Mexico’s new-car sales rose 18.0% in August from year-ago to 50,413 units, while light-truck deliveries slid 5.9% to 25,183.

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

Detroit auto makers delivered 14,619 cars in August, a 0.4% gain over year-ago. GM and Chrysler car sales climbed 10.7% and 11.0%, respectively, while Ford posted a 25.0% decline to 3,180.

Among the Asians Honda and Toyota saw a dropoff in car sales of 4.3% and 8.4%, respectively.

Volume-leader Nissan’s deliveries climbed 36.0%, while Mazda Mexico rose 23.8%.

Overall, car deliveries by Asian makers grew 24.2%, compared with year-ago, to 20,583 units.

Standouts nameplates included the Ford Fiesta, up 136.5%; Toyota Avanza (44.7%); Renault Scala (110.1%); and Volkswagen Jetta (83.1%).

In the light-truck sector, the Detroit Three saw deliveries decline, with Ford off 12.3%, Chrysler down 0.7% and GM falling 9.0%.

Asian auto makers sold 9,720 light trucks in August, a 3.8% decline. The Europeans saw deliveries slip 2.1% to 2,210 units.

Individual light-truck models recording strong growth in the month included the Jeep Compass (up 101.2%); Ford Transit (77.5%); Honda Odyssey (195.4%); and Mitsubishi L200 (83.1%).

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