**Tecate Reopens Module for Regularizing “Chocolate” Cars**
In an effort to streamline the process for vehicle owners, Tecate will reopen its module for the regularization of foreign cars, commonly known as “chocolate” cars. Carlos Nafarrate Orozco, the subcollector of revenue in Tecate for the Baja California government, announced this development. According to Orozco, many residents from areas like El Hongo and La Rumorosa have expressed difficulties in traveling to Tijuana for this service due to the age of their vehicles.
Currently, the module located at the Sustainable Mobility Institute (IMOS) in Tijuana handles the regularization of 12 vehicles daily from Tecate. However, with the reopening of the Tecate module at the State Revenue Office on Avenida Misión de Santa Rosalía, residents will find the process more accessible.
This service is exclusively available to Tecate residents, who must present appropriate identification proving their residence. The procedure involves scheduling an appointment on the Baja California government website, making a payment through banks such as BBVA or HSBC for quicker processing, and then visiting the module with necessary documents, including vehicle papers and proof of residence.
Once submitted, the documents are processed in Tijuana, and within a week, vehicle owners receive their plates and registration documents, typically within a month. As of September 30, Baja California reported the regularization of nearly 400,000 vehicles, with over 950 million pesos generated from this initiative.
**Secondary Update: Mexico’s “Chocolate” Car Situation Facing Delays and Informal Sales**
While the reopening of the Tecate module is a positive step, challenges persist in Mexico’s broader efforts to regularize imported used vehicles. The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce (Canaco) has noted delays in the publication of import decrees, resulting in many vehicles being sold through informal channels. Additionally, more than a thousand vehicles are currently detained in San Diego, unable to be imported due to the same bureaucratic setbacks.
In other related news, recent changes in U.S. immigration policies could lead to an increase in deportations to Baja California, as stated by local official Jorge Rivera Manzo. The region also faces environmental concerns, with heightened wind conditions known as the Santa Ana winds impacting areas like Tijuana.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other local news stories as they develop.