Demand for Chinese vehicles has been growing in Mexico despite the trade tensions incurred by the United States' sweeping tariffs, which have disrupted many manufacturing sectors, including the global automobile industry.
Located near the massive U.S. market, Mexico ranks among the top 10 vehicle manufacturers in the world. Among global automakers, this Latin American giant is considered a sophisticated and highly competitive market.
With Chinese automakers vigorously exploring the Mexican market in the recent years, the sales of Chinese-made cars in Mexico have been on the rise.
China's electric vehicle giant, BYD, sees significant opportunities for increasing sales. Ray Zou, president of BYD Mexico, said that it is a very promising market for light vehicles using combustion engines and fully electric pick-up trucks.
"Based on the data, I think in Mexico every year, there are about between 15 percent and 18 percent of the new cars sold are pickups, which means annually, it has the potential to have more than 200,000 units of pick-ups. So, this is a big, huge market," Zou told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
For more than 15 years, Mexico has charged a 20-percent tariff on all vehicles imported into the country. But that has not deterred the rising demand.
Chinese vehicles are now seen all across Mexico, especially in the largest cities like in the capital. Sales of Chinese vehicles have been growing in recent years and currently account for 12 percent of total market sales in this Latin American country.
Guillermo Rosales, president of Mexico's national Association of Automotive Distributors, said Chinese vehicles are popular among Mexican buyers due to their good prices and attractive new technologies.
"The average price for a new car in Mexico is around 27,000 U.S. dollars. Products made in China fall into this price range nicely. This gives Chinese vehicles strong acceptance here. One out of every five cars sold in Mexico is made in China," he said.
Rosales expects that the global trade uncertainties will not significantly reduce the sales of Chinese automobiles in Mexico this year.
"Sometimes there's a deficiency in available parts. It's important that they listen to both consumers and distributors alike," said Rosales.
Mexico sees soaring demand for China-made EVs
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
