• EXPORTS: Amid coronavirus shutdowns around the world, Mexican car exports posted a historic plunge of 95.1% in May from the same month a year before, according to Mexico’s statistics agency (INEGI). The decline is the sharpest drop on records that go back to 2005.
• PARALYSIS: The world’s fourth largest car exporting country, Mexico saw a dramatic decline in its auto exports in May 2020 recording only 15,088 units sent overseas. Japanese automaker Mazda reported zero units were exported from its plant in the central state of Guanajuato.
• COMPARISON: Among US automakers with footprint in Mexico, Ford reported a total of 2,347 units exported in May while GM said it had exported 809 units and FCA 268. With shutdowns across North America, Mexico only allowed auto manufacturing to prepare for reopening starting on May 18th.
• REOPENING: By early this week, most automakers in Mexico -including Detroit’s Big Three- had resumed operations at least partially. However, auto manufacturing has yet to restart in the central state of Puebla where Volkswagen and Audi are aiming for a June 15th reopening.
