Mexico's Auto Production, Exports Remain Strong In January

Mexico's auto industry continued to grow at a brisk pace in January, with production of cars and light trucks rising by 21% to 199,310 units, compared with the year-earlier month, the Mexican Automobile Industry Association said Wednesday.

Exports continued to fuel the majority of that expansion, increasing by 45% last month to 165,046 autos, as compared with January 2010, the association known as AMIA said.

American consumers were the top buyers of Mexican-made light vehicles, as overall market-share in the month grew compared to the 11% registered in full-year 2010.

"Vehicles made in Mexico and exported to the U.S. represent 14.2% of all sales of light vehicles in the first month of 2011," AMIA said in a report.

Domestic sales, meanwhile, grew at a slower pace in January, rising 7.3% to 68,766 autos.

AMIA President Eduardo Solis complained that imported used cars from the U.S., which he called "junkers," were distorting the Mexican used car market, making it more difficult for Mexicans to sell their used cars in order to buy new ones.

-By Laurence Iliff, Dow Jones Newswires; (52-55) 5980-5184, laurence.iliff@dowjones.com

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