Summary: Sonora recorded a historic US$28.61 billion in exports in 2025, driven by growth in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and advanced manufacturing sectors linked to nearshoring and the state’s Plan Sonora renewable energy strategy. The expansion reinforces Sonora’s role as a strategic industrial platform within North America while accelerating investment in electromobility, regional supply chains and high-value manufacturing under USMCA rules. The momentum is also supporting domestic EV development projects, including a Mexican-engineered vehicle initiative in Hermosillo focused on fleet leasing, regional sourcing and long-term industrial capability building.
Sonora reached the highest export level in its history in 2025, totaling US$28.61 billion as advanced manufacturing and industrial activity tied to the state’s renewable energy and nearshoring strategy accelerated growth across key sectors. Record export performance highlights the transformation of Sonora’s industrial profile as companies continue relocating operations to Mexico amid ongoing nearshoring trends across North America.
According to INEGI data, Sonora posted a 9.1% year-over-year increase in exports during 4Q25, making it the fastest-growing border state in Mexico in this category. The performance was driven by automotive, aerospace, electronics and computer manufacturing industries, reinforcing Sonora’s position as one of the country’s most dynamic industrial economies.
Growth also reflected the rapid expansion of manufacturing activity under the Plan Sonora de Energías Sostenibles, the state’s industrial and energy transition strategy aimed at attracting investment linked to electromobility, technology and high-value manufacturing.
Manufacturing exports in the state rose sharply from US$15.02 billion in 2021 to US$22.98 billion in 2025, consolidating Sonora as one of Mexico’s leading industrial hubs. State officials said the expansion has strengthened supply chains tied to advanced manufacturing, mining and agribusiness while increasing the state’s participation in high-value-added exports.
Governor Alfonso Durazo said the state’s economic growth has positioned Sonora as a national benchmark in several strategic industries. “We have consolidated the state’s economic growth over these four years, placing ourselves as a national reference in the main economic activities,” Durazo said.
The strongest gains came from industries linked to advanced manufacturing, including automotive production, aerospace components, electronics, and computing. These sectors are among the priorities promoted through Plan Sonora to attract investment and accelerate industrialization.
Sonora’s performance comes as northern Mexican states intensify competition to secure projects related to clean energy, electromobility and technology manufacturing. The state’s export growth strengthened its position within Mexico’s industrial corridor and reinforced its role as a strategic manufacturing platform for the North American market.
Sonora Investors Back Mexican Electric Vehicle Project
The broader industrial momentum in Sonora is also fueling domestic innovation initiatives aimed at increasing Mexico’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities in emerging sectors such as electric mobility.
A group of business leaders in Sonora has committed US$115 million to develop a Mexican-engineered electric vehicle under the project Beyond Movilidad Compartida (Beyond Shared Mobility, BMC). The company plans to unveil a functional prototype in June and manufacture the vehicle in Hermosillo under USMCA rules, reported MBN. Rather than targeting traditional retail sales, BMC plans to focus on corporate fleets through operating leases, positioning the project within the growing market for logistics and employee transportation services.
The initial investment will finance a multi-purpose electric vehicle prototype designed for last-mile logistics, passenger transport and mixed-use applications. The platform is intended to be modular and adaptable to different client requirements.
Maria Elena Gallego, President and CEO, Sonitronies-Collectron, and Chair of BMC’s board, said Sonora is ready to move beyond hosting foreign assembly plants. “In our country we now have the human talent, especially in Sonora, to create this model,” she said.
Gallego said Mexico has already demonstrated its ability to attract aerospace, automotive and medical manufacturing operations and is now entering a new phase focused on domestic engineering and value creation. “Now we are demonstrating that we can develop manufacturing internally,” she said.
The initiative aligns with federal industrial policy priorities and Plan Sonora, which seeks to position the state as a strategic center for renewable energy, electromobility and advanced manufacturing.
USMCA Compliance and Long-Term Production Plans
As development advances, the project is focusing on regional integration and compliance with North American trade rules to strengthen its competitiveness in the US market.
BMC partnered with the Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo and California-based Aria Group to accelerate prototype development and supplier integration. The collaboration will initially prioritize companies connected to Ford’s operations in Sonora before expanding sourcing across Mexico. Miguel Ángel Bravo said the partnership will “accelerate the learning curve” for Mexico’s EV industry.
Project Director Gertie Agraz said the vehicle will comply with at least 75% regional value content requirements under the USMCA to qualify for tariff-free trade. “It needs to be 75% USMCA,” she said. “We will seek to comply with the maximum regional supply percentages, although we have some margin to source parts such as batteries.” While lithium cells and battery packs will initially be sourced outside Mexico because of supply constraints, BMC plans to increase domestic integration over time.
Construction of the company’s manufacturing facility in Hermosillo has already begun. Production targets call for 1,000 units annually by 2028 and 18,000 units within five years. Unlike traditional automakers, BMC plans to operate under a leasing model instead of direct vehicle sales. Bravo compared the approach to airline fleet management, arguing it will significantly reduce costs for clients. “When a vehicle is rented, you only pay for the lease, which lowers the cost significantly,” he said.
The company estimates monthly lease prices at around US$800 and is targeting businesses involved in employee transportation and cargo distribution. BMC has already presented the project to companies including Aeroméxico, Coppel, Vemo and Amazon.
As production scales, BMC also plans to establish a battery assembly plant in Ciudad Obregón and implement a dual-education model with the Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo to train engineers and technicians for Mexico’s growing EV industry.
Gallego said the initiative aims to leave a broader industrial legacy beyond a single vehicle project. “We are not only going to develop a car, but leave the experience here to develop more cars in Mexico,” she said.
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