Mexico's auto industry continued to suffer big declines in May, with the global crisis and weak domestic demand hurting output, exports and new car sales.

The Mexican Auto Industry Association, or AMIA, said Monday that auto production fell 39% from May 2008 to 108,162 units, while exports dropped 44% to 83,910 units and domestic sales fell 38% to 53,438 units.

AMIA said weak consumer confidence in Mexico and the crisis in the auto industry continue to affect performance in Mexico.

The Mexican Association of Auto Distributors said the influenza outbreak that led the government to close down non-essential business activity for five days at the beginning of May had a negative effect on the number of people visiting showrooms.

-By Paul Kiernan, Dow Jones Newswires; (5255) 5001 5726, paul.kiernan@dowjones.com