Mexico’s Auto Exports Drop 16%

Exports of Mexican-made vehicles dropped to 197,000 cars and light-duty trucks in April from 233,500 units a year ago, the Mexican Automotive Industry Assn. (AMIA) reports.

The trade group says Mexico’s vehicle exports—most of which go to the U.S.—fell 7% to 854,100 units through the first four months of 2016. Production during the period shrank 5% to 1.1 million units.

AMIA attributes the slump to a drop in U.S. demand for the small cars made in Mexico and a rise in deliveries of predominantly American-made trucks and large SUVs. Light-truck sales in the U.S. rose 11% in January-April, but car sales fell 5%, according to Autodata Corp.

The trade group notes that the decline in April exports was partly offset by a 25% jump to 118,400 units in domestic car sales in Mexico.