You can't put a price on how beneficial learning Spanish is. When it comes to native speakers, Spanish is the world's second most spoken language. With so many speakers around the world, there is no surprise that many industries globally have a demand for the language, and the automotive industry in the U.S. is no different; whether it is communication with potential business partners or Hispanic consumers.

This blog will take an in-depth look into the importance of the Spanish language in the automotive industry in the U.S.

Auto Trade with Mexico

It should not come as a surprise that the U.S. is one of the leading countries in the auto sector. However, the U.S. heavily relies on Mexico when it comes to car parts and even production. 40% of imported auto parts come from Mexico, with the U.S. importing $93 billion worth of cars and car parts in 2018. Furthermore, all major American automakers such as General Motors and Ford have plants in Mexico where they build vehicles for the U.S. market.

With such a reasonably heavy reliance on Mexico, the Spanish language is vital for smooth communication between the two countries as Mexico is an integral part of the U.S. automotive industry.

Hispanic Market

According to the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently an estimated 59.8 million Hispanic people in the United States. It is said that by 2050, the United States will have 138 million Spanish speakers. With the number of Spanish speakers on the rise, companies, especially in the automotive industry, need to find a way to reach these consumers in a language they would adequately understand.

In 2015, a report by Polk stated that Hispanics currently represent more than $44 billion in new vehicle sales. While compared to the general market, Hispanics are 60% more likely to buy their first new car and 52% more likely to add an additional new vehicle to their household. So, we can easily say that Hispanics will fuel the growth of the automotive industry in the coming years.

The Spanish language comes into play as many companies in the automotive industry must find ways to approach the Hispanic population by tailoring their advertisements to fit their culture, language, and traditions. For example, many car brands have created separate social media accounts to serve the Hispanic community, and Toyota is one of them. They have created a social media account (Toyota Latino) that delivers the same US-based ads and content in the Spanish language to appeal to their Hispanic audience.

Final Thoughts

With the number of Spanish speakers on the rise and the need for auto trade with Mexico, there is no doubt that the Spanish language will continue to be vital in the automotive industry in the U.S. for many years to come.