MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexican auto production and exports declined for the fifth consecutive month in November according to figures released Monday by the National Statistics Agency (INEGI). This was due to ongoing shortages at the semiconductor industry.

Mexican auto production fell 20.25% in November 2020, reaching 248,960 units. Auto exports plummeted 16.46% to 240.341, according to the INEGI data.

A global semiconductor shortage https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/mexicos-auto-heartland-workers-struggle-chip-shortage-bites-2021-11-24 has prompted automakers in Mexico and the rest of North America to implement rolling shutdowns, curtailing production and hitting workers hard.

Responding to a query regarding falling production, a representative of the Mexico operation of Detroit-based General Motors Co (NYSE 🙂 explained that the stoppages occurred because of a shortage of semiconductors.

INEGI data revealed that GM Mexico production declined by 43.7% from a year ago to 40,534 units in November.

Mexico’s auto manufacturing dropped by 20% last year to 3.04million vehicles. The first phase of coronavirus was triggered by the pandemic. However, the Mexican Automotive Industry Association has predicted that the production could fall by as much as 5% in 2021.

The first eleven months of 2021 saw a 0.68% decrease in Mexican automobile production compared to last year’s, reaching 2,767,004 cars. However, auto exports during the same time period rose by 3.02%, to 2,479.515 vehicles.