Mexico’s Auto Sales Rise 9%, Output Jumps 13%

Sales of cars and light trucks in Mexico climbed to 987,700 units in 2012 from 905,900 units the previous year, according to industry group AMIA.

Last year's annual total was the highest since 2008, even though December sales fell 4% to 110,800 units.

For the full year, Nissan was Mexico's top-selling carmaker with a 9% gain to 245,700 vehicles, followed by General Motors (+11% to 186,400 units), Volkswagen (+6% to 134,000 units), Chrysler (+1% to 88,000 units) and Ford (-4% 82,300 units).

Mexico's auto production rose to 2.88 million vehicles last year from 2.56 million units in 2011, AMIA reports. December output was flat at 180,600 vehicles.

In 2012 the country's largest auto producers were Nissan (+13% to 683,500 vehicles), Volkswagen (+19% to 604,500 units), General Motors (+5% to 570,900 units), Ford (-2% to 451,600 units) and Chrysler (+33% to 373,600 units).