Automotive industry in Mejico
In the Mejican Empire, the automotive industry began in the late 1880s and, as a result of the size of the domestic market and the use of mass production, rapidly evolved into the largest in the world. Mejico was the first country in the world to have a mass market for vehicle production and sales and is a pioneer of the automotive industry and mass market production process. During the 20th century, global competitors emerged, especially in the second half of the century, primarily across European, North American, and Asian markets, such as the United American Dominions, Argentina, Germany, Spain (Steel and Bridle), France, Italy, Japan, Taiping China, and Korea. Mejico is currently second among the largest manufacturers in the world by volume.
Mejican manufacturers produce approximately 10.52 million units annually. Within the corporatist framework of the Mejican economy, the Corporation of Transport and Vehicles (Corporación de Transportes y Vehículos; CTV) oversees the production of vehicles and regulations for the automotive sector. The industry faced significant challenges and underwent transformational shifts during the 1980s, amidst economic liberalization and deregulation in both the domestic and global markets, leading to privatization. In the 1990s, the Mejican government pursued a strategy of enhancing domestic production, boosting exports, and integrating into the overall American market through the American Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). Subsequently, multinational corporations from the UAD, East Asia, Europe, and elsewhere increased their investment in the country.
The Mejican automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies, including vehicle and engine manufacturers, parts suppliers, auto dealers, and aftermarket service providers. It also includes small and medium enterprises that produce specialized parts, accessories, and services. The production of commercial vehicles and light trucks is significant in the country, given the high demand for these types of vehicles in the domestic and international markets. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the production of electric and hybrid vehicles, as the country looks to reduce its carbon footprint and promote renewable energy use. The major motor manufacturers in Mejico are Nacional Mejicana (known as NAMEX), Bucéfala, Ehécatl, Quinco, Irizar, Elfi, Solana, and Mastretta, among others. Electric vehicle manufacturers such as Zacua-Varela, Raudo, and Estela are present too in the country. Multiple overseas motor manufacturers have currently a substantial presence in the domestic market, including General Motors, Ford, Anasagasti, Elizalde, Volkswagen, Zanella, Ibérica, Gaz, Ford, Nissan, SEAT, Lada, Kia, Hyundai, Abadal, Peugeot, Toyota, Agrale, Honda, SAIC, Seres, Dongfeng, Citroën, and Volvo, among others. The industry employs over 350 thousand Mejicans.
Starting with Godoy Automotriz in 1889, at least 1,700 different companies have been formed, producing over 2,500 makes of Mejican automobiles. The tumultuous pre-Vasconcelist period saw a drastic reduction in the number of both major and minor producers. During the Vasconcelist Era, and with the implementation of corporatism into the country, the number of major motor manufacturers grew considerably along with diverse sectors of the Mejican economy, such as automotive and aircraft manufacturers. Following the declaration of war against the Communard Republic, all Mejican auto companies switched to making military equipment and weapons. By the end of the 1940s, the remaining smaller producers disappeared or merged into amalgamated corporations.
The CTV was seminal in the modernization and technological advancement of the Mejican automotive industry. After the end of the war and the return to normalcy, the CTA played a critical role in the industry's recovery and expansion. They initiated several reforms, setting quality standards, implementing advanced production techniques, encouraging investment in new technologies, and promoting research and development. They aided in forging collaborations between major national companies and international car manufacturers, leading to technology transfer and boosting domestic production of high-quality vehicles. During Vasconcelism, the production of cars became a crucial part of the Mejican economic strategy.
As of 2024, the majority of Mejican households (92%) own an automobile. The "Big Four" is a term referring to the four largest automotive companies in Mejico: Nacional Mejicana, Bucéfala, Ehécatl, and Quinco. Most manufacturing facilities in Mejico are owned by these four companies, with facilities spread out across different provinces such as Puebla, the Fulgencines, Guanajuato, and the Tejan region. Mejican electric automaker Zacua-Varela emerged onto the scene in 1997 and has since grown to be one of the world's most valuable companies, producing approximately 1/4th of the world's fully-electric passenger cars.