The Mexican Automotive Industry Association Asociación Mexicana de la Industria Automotriz (AMIA) recently signed an important agreement with the Mexican government concerning issues related to energy and the environment. Such agreement refers to the charging of electric vehicles, as well as the benefits of using hybrid and electric vehicles pursuant to the Mexican government’s policy to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Mexico is the first Latin American country to regulate the emission of carbon dioxide in new light vehicles. The president of AMIA, Eduardo Solís, emphasized at the signing of the agreement that the hoped for results of the Mexican energy reform will allow new natural gas systems to be used in the process of vehicle painting, which means new technological opportunities. In addition, the Mexican automotive industry will soon have access to ultra-low sulfur fuel, as established five years ago by the Official Mexican Norm 086, which established a commitment from PEMEX, which has thus far remained unfulfilled. Mexico’s Secretary of Energy, Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, acknowledged the importance of the automotive industry to the country and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to support the industry and its continued importance to Mexico’s economy. Coldwell pointed out that the energy reform would favor the automotive industry immediately following the opening of the fuel sales market to the public. As is widely known, by 2017, the exclusive right of PEMEX to provide fuel to companies will be eliminated, which will allow for access to other brands. Once the PEMEX monopoly and right of exclusivity comes to an end, importing fuel will be possible and the doors will open to companies that comply with the applicable regulations for importing fuel. By 2018, the full application of the reform is scheduled, and with it will come the freedom to establish brands, prices and a free market in the fuel supply industry. In regard to the electricity sector, the Energy Secretary pointed out that an open free market would contribute to the range of Mexican energy options by integrating clean energy into the country’s energy portfolio. On the other hand, the promotion and development new technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles will increase. Without doubt, these are steps that benefit the Mexican automotive industry.
