True electric vehicle (EV) penetration in Mexico is underreported, electric vehicle industry group EMA says, countering official data that indicate EV and hybrid sales have decelerated more steeply in recent months.
EMA shows that sales of EV and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) reached 43,656 in January-June, a 40pc increase on the year, based on self-reported data from its affiliates that include Tesla and China's BYD.
But Mexico's official statistics agency Inegi shows less growth, with sales for EVs and PHEVs growing by 21pc to about 14,500 units over the same period. Inegi's latest data — which goes to August — indicates a slightly higher deceleration as well. This is notably lower than the 67pc annual growth it recorded for full-year 2024, when sales of EVs and PHEVs grew to more than 32,000 units from about 19,000 in 2023.
The large difference in the annual growth rates reported by EMA and Inegi is mostly because Inegi tracks only two of the eight EV and PHEV makers that report sales to EMA. Inegi also tracks sales of non-plug in hybrids, which are the largest component, with about 51,500 units sold in the first six months of this year. But sales of this vehicles do not help indicate the spread of EV-charging infrastructure.
Manufacturers report sales on a voluntary basis in Mexico to both entities. But the six EV makers in question only report to EMA, because of its policy of reporting aggregate figures with no breakdown by brand, EMA president Eugenio Grandio confirmed to Argus.
"The uptick in official numbers does not reflect the true growth in EV and PHEV adoption," Grandio said.
Grandio recalled a recent meeting between Mexico's energy ministry and industry leaders, "where the AMIA was claiming that demand for EVs is actually slowing down .. that Mexicans just aren't buying them. And I had to raise my hand to object, and said the strong sales at our affiliates prove there is growing demand in the EV market."
EMA affiliate BYD in early August reported selling 80,000 units since entering the Mexican market in 2023, including 40,000 in the first seven months of 2025 alone. It also recorded 100,000 pre-sale interactions at weekend events held recently to promote the brand.
Adriana Ramirez, Mexico auto sales association AMDA's head of economic studies, agreed that "the distortion may be increasing" during a presentation of August industry data earlier this month. She reiterated AMDA's call for the EV makers to begin volunteering their sales data to Inegi.
The problem, said Grandio, is the voluntary reporting process itself.
"There's no way to certify the numbers these companies send are actually correct, and what we need now is transparency," he said, adding much more reliable alternatives are already available in Mexico.
These include the tracking of sales invoices at dealerships, or owner registration of new vehicles for the issuance of license plates. A fully digital tracking system is also possible, said Grandio, using the stickers issued by Mexico's public safety administration that must be visibly displayed for driving on Mexican roads.
Grandio said SNSP could supply Inegi with the unique vehicle key code created and printed onto each sticker, as well as the vehicle information tied to each key code.
"Any of these options eliminates this issue of distorted sales data permanently," said Grandio.
Many automakers were not overly concerned with the problem previously, he added.
But next year Mexico will raise tariffs on Asia-origin vehicles to 50pc, with plans to strengthen domestic production and counteract the effects of tariffs imposed by the US. Tracking and data are becoming increasingly important.
"The market has taken a turn with US tariffs," Grandio said. "Now with these newcomer EV brands making a major dent in the market, they're finally paying attention."
