mexicos auto production and exports fell in january from a year earlier the seventh straight monthly decline official data showed on friday as covid19 pandemic shocks and a global semiconductor shortage weigh on the flagship industrial sector automotive production fell 909 to 253366 vehicles while auto exports declined 309 to 216630 according to figures published by national statistics agency inegi since july of last year car production and exports in latin americas secondlargest economy have fallen every month in annual terms vehicle production fell 2 in 2021 compared with 2020 the fourth consecutive annual decline as the semiconductor shortage in recent months prompted automakers in mexico and the rest of north america to implement rolling shutdowns curtailing output top mexican auto association amia has estimated output will not return to prepandemic levels until late 2023 or in 2024 auto output also declined in 2019 and very slightly in 2018 according to inegis existing historical data