Mexico's Tech Exports Surge 145%, Overtaking Automotive

Mexico just pulled off something remarkable in the global economy: its technology sector grew so fast it dethroned cars as the nation's biggest export.

Computer equipment shipments exploded by nearly 145% in 2025, powered by surging U.S. demand for data centers and a strategic shift away from Chinese tech imports. The growth was so dramatic that tech exports claimed the crown from automotive for the first time in Mexican history.

Two states are driving the transformation. Chihuahua alone accounts for 46% of all computer equipment exports, while Jalisco contributes another 23%. Together, these powerhouses represent nearly seven out of every ten dollars in Mexican tech exports.

The numbers tell an impressive story. Chihuahua's total exports jumped from $75 billion in 2024 to nearly $110 billion in 2025. Jalisco climbed from $32 billion to $53 billion, earning the distinction of becoming the leading non-border exporting state for the first time ever.

Computer processors led the charge at $80.5 billion in exports. Mexico's strategic advantage comes from the USMCA trade agreement, which allows tech products to enter the U.S. with just 0.45% average tariffs compared to 10.53% on similar Chinese goods.

The Ripple Effect

This tech boom is creating real opportunities for Mexican workers. The computer equipment manufacturing sector now employs 331,411 people, representing over 7% of all manufacturing jobs in the country.

The growth reflects decades of investment in North American supply chains, according to Banamex economist Rodolfo Ostolaza. Companies are modernizing facilities with automation, robotics and artificial intelligence to meet soaring U.S. demand.

American data center investment grew 30% to reach $102.2 billion between 2024 and 2025, creating insatiable appetite for Mexican-made equipment. Six U.S. states absorbed nearly 97% of Mexico's tech exports, with Texas alone taking 67%.

Beyond Chihuahua and Jalisco, Baja California, Tamaulipas and Nuevo León are also making significant strides in the sector. The challenge now is capacity: factories are running at full production, meaning future growth requires investment in new facilities.

Mexico is proving that nearshoring can work spectacularly well when trade policy, geography and workforce development align.