Strategic Alliance Between Inbursa and Stellantis Promises Results by 2026
The automotive industry is forecasting lower sales for 2025 due to trade tensions with the United States. However, despite the current uncertainty, the recent collaboration between Inbursa and Stellantis is shaping up as a long-term investment. Stellantis ranks as the seventh-largest vehicle seller in Mexico, and the financial institution plans to seize this opportunity to dominate the automotive credit market by 2026, according to analysts consulted by Expansión. While clarity on the automaker's strategies is still expected, the company recently announced the suspension of its production in Toluca.
Stellantis offers brands such as Jeep, Alfa Romeo, FIAT, RAM, Maserati, Peugeot, and Dodge. According to Brian Rodriguez Ontiveros, an analyst at Monex, “the news is positive for Stellantis, as this could imply more personalized service for their customers and cost savings that could lead to better rates and higher demand.” As of February, Stellantis reported selling 7,110 vehicles, representing a 7.7% decline compared to the same month last year. This trend aligns with projections from the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA), which estimates a decrease in unit sales due to increasing trade tensions. Recently, the CEO of Stellantis Mexico noted that, in light of the current situation, the company is looking to diversify its risks and strengthen its focus on the domestic market. Experts anticipate that this alliance with Inbursa will be key to helping the automaker recover. For instance, Chrysler is expected to increase its market share from 10% to 12%. “Manufacturers are exploring direct financing as a means to facilitate the purchase of new vehicles,” highlighted Isabel Studer, an analyst and topic specialist. Studer also mentioned that the arrival of Chinese brands in the market has prompted other companies to form alliances with banking institutions as part of their marketing strategies. As of February, Inbursa had a loan portfolio of 63.167 billion pesos. Although the credit sector is expected to be affected by economic slowdown, they are setting their sights on 2026, the year when the partnership with Stellantis is anticipated to start paying off, once clarity on tariffs is achieved and the country enters a new economic cycle with greater growth. This push for automotive credit builds on the strategy initiated last August when the bank acquired 80% of Cetelem, a Sofom that was previously owned by BNP Paribas.
In a constantly changing environment filled with challenges like tariffs, it’s crucial for companies to seek diversification and innovate in their strategies. The union of Inbursa and Stellantis not only represents an opportunity for growth in the automotive sector but also reflects the importance of adapting to market conditions to ensure long-term viability and sustainability. With the economy shifting, flexibility and strategic decisions play a vital role in the future of these companies.
