2013 first half sales exceed 500,000 units for the first time in five years after 2008

Total vehicle sales in Mexico reached 520,000 units in the January-June 2013 period, up 8.6% y/y.  Sales exceeded previous year results in each month except for March, which posted a drop of 0.5% y/y.  Sales in the first half exceeded 500,000 units for the first time in five years.  
　By vehicle type, passenger car sales increased to 337,000 units, up 10.6% y/y; light commercial vehicle sales rose to 165,000 units, up 4.8% y/y; and medium- to heavy-duty commercial vehicle sales increased to 18,000 units, up 9.2% y/y.  The growth rate of passenger car sales was greater than that of the total market,  as sales of small-size vehicles continues to be strong.  Passenger car sales now account for 64.8% of the total market, up 1.1% y/y.