According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. automotive parts and the fourth-largest producer of automotive parts worldwide. Supporting this robust manufacturing sector is a Mexican government program called Industria Manufacturera, Maquiladora y de Servicios de Exportación (IMMEX). Companies in the automotive industry recognize that participation in the IMMEX program is an integral part of their supply chains and a way to take advantage of the many inherent program benefits. However, IMMEX operations have stringent requirements that are being audited by the Mexican authorities with greater frequency.