Key Players and Their Lack of Transparency
The Association of Mexican Automobile Dealers (AMDA) has raised concerns about the distortion in information regarding Mexico’s light vehicle market. AMDA president Guillermo Rosales explained that brands such as Tesla, BYD, Chirey, GAC, Geely, SEV, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, Dong Feng, and Zeekr do not publish their sales information in Mexico.
Market Performance and Data Reliability
Despite the 4.5% growth in light vehicle sales during the first nine months of the year, which includes Chinese automakers’ unreported sales, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) reported a 0.6% decline, according to AMDA.
Rosales stated that the Mexican automotive industry has already approached the Secretary of Economy to make data reporting mandatory to Inegi through a Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) for reliable statistics. However, they have not received a response from authorities and will continue advocating for this change.
Sales Estimations and Their Limitations
During a press conference, Rosales clarified that the 4.5% sales increase was estimated using figures provided by each Chinese brand and their projected 2025 sales, along with credit data.
“This is an estimate by AMDA to better understand the market, which relies on various sources of information… It’s not a definitive record and doesn’t guarantee 100% accuracy, but it provides a close approximation of the actual market situation,” Rosales explained.
He also noted that Inegi’s reported figures show sales declines, but they do not reflect the total commercialization in Mexico since Chinese brands’ unreported sales are excluded.
Discrepancies in Sales Figures
Rosales pointed out that while Inegi reports sales above 1.5 million units from January to September, the actual number is over 158,500 units. This discrepancy distorts the market observation and analysis.
According to Chinese automakers’ reports, BYD is projected to sell more than 45,000 vehicles in Mexico by 2025, GAC more than 7,000, and Geely around 15,000 units. The rest have not disclosed their sales figures.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the concern raised by AMDA? AMDA is concerned about the distortion in Mexican automotive market information due to unreported sales from Chinese brands like Tesla, BYD, Chirey, GAC, Geely, SEV, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, Dong Feng, and Zeekr.
- Why is there a discrepancy in reported sales figures? Inegi’s reported sales figures show declines, but they do not account for the unreported sales from Chinese automakers, leading to a distorted market observation.
- What actions has AMDA taken regarding data reliability? AMDA has approached the Secretary of Economy to make data reporting mandatory through a Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) for reliable statistics, but they have not received a response.
- How does AMDA estimate market performance? AMDA estimates market performance using figures provided by Chinese brands and their projected 2025 sales, along with credit data.
- What are the projected sales for some Chinese automakers in Mexico? BYD is expected to sell more than 45,000 vehicles in Mexico by 2025, GAC more than 7,000, and Geely around 15,000 units. The rest have not disclosed their sales figures.
