Mexico City, Aug 8 (IANS/EFE) Sales and production of automobiles grew 9.3 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, in the January-July period, compared to the same period in 2012, but exports fell 2.1 percent, the Mexican Automotive Industry Association, or AMIA, said.
Sales totaled 588,632 units and production reached 1.72 million units in the first seven months of this year, AMIA said in a statement.
"While the domestic market is exhibiting growth, the sales level during the first seven months is similar to that achieved approximately 10 years ago," the trade association said.
"One of the factors that has inhibited the market's recovery is the importation of used vehicles, which had a growth rate of 52 percent in the first half of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012," AMIA said.
Vehicle exports totaled 1.35 million units in the January-July 2013 period, down 2.1 percent from the same period last year, the trade association said.
--IANS/EFE
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