According to data on greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets, 150 foreign investment projects were announced in Mexico between January and June 2011, while a total of 104 were recorded during the same period in 2012, a decrease of 31%. Capital investment was down by nearly 50%, with just $5bn invested in the first half of 2012. Nearly one-quarter of all projects in the first half of 2012 took place in January.

The Mexican automotive components sector accounted for more than one-fifth of all projects in the country in the first six months of 2012. Prominent investors included UK-based GKN Driveline, Japan-based Imasen Electric Industrial, and Yachiyo Industry, a subsidiary of Japanese motor firm Honda.

Nearly half of all investors in Mexico in the first six months of 2012 cited the country's growth potential as the their primary motive for investing. Mexico City was the top city destination for investment into the country, while the US was the top investor for both the first half of 2012 and the same period in 2011.