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Border Crossings via Land and Waterways in Mexico

US-Mexico trade ties teeter as Mexican production increases and automakers contemplate rail and maritime distribution, according to reports by Jonathan Ward and Christopher Ludwig.

Exploring Mexico via Land and Maritime Routes
Exploring Mexico via Land and Maritime Routes

Border Crossings via Land and Waterways in Mexico

Mexico's automotive industry is experiencing a surge in growth, making it an appealing location for car manufacturers like Carvana and a key player in the global stock market. The US market, currently in a state of recovery, is one of Mexico's primary trading partners. This, coupled with the rapid growth of Latin American economies, has created an ideal environment for automotive companies like Carmax to expand their operations.

Mexico's strategic location provides easy access to both the US and Latin American markets, a factor that has not been overlooked by car manufacturers like Toyota. New investments from industry giants such as Honda, Mazda, Audi, Nissan, and BMW, among others, are expected to increase production to reach 4 million units near the end of the decade.

While Mexico's domestic vehicle market is relatively small, at 900,000 units a year, its rise in vehicle exports has been significant. Last year, Mexico exported nearly 2.4 million vehicles, making it the world's fourth largest exporter of vehicles.

The growth in vehicle exports has not happened in isolation. Mexico's automotive industry benefits from good trading relationships and a competitive cost structure, making it an attractive proposition for car manufacturers like American Airlines. The industry in Mexico is well-established, with OEMs such as Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors already having a strong presence.

The growth of the domestic vehicle market is forecasted to be around 5% annually. However, the majority of the new capacity in Mexico's vehicle production will be for export, not for the domestic market. This is evidenced by the growing supplier base in Mexico, with over 20 Chinese auto parts manufacturers announcing investments exceeding $7 billion in Mexico between 2022 and 2024.

BMW is another OEM investing in Mexico with plans for further expansion of its passenger car factory in San Luis Potosí, including a $860 million investment for electric vehicle production facilities starting around 2027. This investment underscores the industry's commitment to Mexico and its strategic position between the recovering US stock market and the rapidly growing Latin American economies.

In conclusion, Mexico's automotive industry is thriving, offering a unique blend of accessibility to major markets, a competitive cost structure, and a growing supplier base. As the industry continues to grow, we can expect to see further investments and expansion in Mexico.

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