Industry leaders see opportunity at international summit

Mexico’s position as the gateway to Latin America’s automotive aftermarket, along with growing opportunities in vehicle data, Chinese brands and regional supply chains, were key themes at the International Aftermarket Summit (IAS) held July 7-8 in Mexico City.

Organized ahead of INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico, the summit brought together executives, associations, suppliers and aftermarket leaders from across the Americas to discuss the future of the industry.

Regional market trends

Much discussion focused on North American integration and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA), with speakers examining how nearshoring, trade policy and shifting global supply chains are reshaping investment decisions throughout the region.

Market intelligence sessions highlighted Mexico’s attractiveness as a launch point for broader Latin American expansion. Industry participants pointed to the significant overlap between North American and Mexican vehicle applications, creating opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers to leverage existing product coverage while accelerating growth in the Mexican market.

Another major topic was the rapid rise of Chinese vehicle brands. With Chinese automakers capturing a growing share of Mexico’s new vehicle market, speakers identified an urgent need for aftermarket companies to expand parts coverage and service capabilities for these emerging vehicle platforms.

Vehicle parc and demand

At the same time, Mexico’s aging vehicle parc continues to support strong demand for replacement parts and maintenance. Average vehicle age of about 17 years in Latin America far exceeds the more than 12 years in the U.S. and more than 10 years in Canada.

Motorcycles were also identified as an emerging growth segment, driven by the expansion of last-mile delivery services and the broader digital economy. Several speakers suggested the motorcycle aftermarket remains relatively underserved compared to traditional automotive segments.

Digitalization and growth

Digitalization remained a consistent theme throughout the event. Sessions examined the growing importance of vehicle data, digital cataloguing, connected vehicles, artificial intelligence and e-commerce platforms in helping aftermarket companies improve coverage, identify new opportunities and bring products to market more quickly.

Then, INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico opened its doors, featuring exhibits from vendors looking to take their offerings to the growing Latin America space.