Roberto -
I have no idea why you desire to continue to belabor or confuse the issue. Buying a car for use in Mexico is a separate topic from a Mexican national driving a foreign registered car in Mexico.
Moi, belabor and confuse , ja, ja, ja muy gracioso !!! Yes I guess you are correct if you don' t mind buying a car with unfamiliar ownership paperwork for someone els who may or may not be able to drive the car. You can own it but can't use it, who would care about such a petty detail as that??
I don't care what you were told by "a Hacienda abogado amiga". Marital status has nothing to do with the ownership of a vehicle.
I know, your mind was made up years ago and has not changed one bit since then, irrespective of any new input. Marital status has something to do wtih WHO can drive the vehicle. Guess if you just want some lawn statuary it's all good.
My wife and I have different last names, and we are both listed on the titles of our vehicles as co-owners. As long as she is listed on the titles of our vehicles, she has never been required to present a certificate of marriage at any Hacienda checkpoint. In accordance with Mexican law, she can legally own a vehicle outside of Mexico, and drive that same vehicle inside of Mexico.
Well then, that's the solution for all Mexicans. Just hold the ownership papers in Arizona and drive it where ever you want without importing it. HA, if it was that simple everyone would be doint it, much, much cheaper that paying for importation. I have no question about your experiences but doubt you understanding of why.
Your tax implication point has some merit, but the primary intent of the law is to apprehend vehicles stolen in the US and driven into Mexico. Any vehicles purchased in the US by Mexican citizens and legally imported into Mexico, would require the Mexican owner to be on the title as the legal owner of the vehicle. The rest is a Mexican tax issue.
Mmmm case is that the act of importation is a tax based requirement. You cannot legally import a vehicle without paying the TAX, that's what it's all about. Don't think Mexico gives a rat's patute about stolen cars arriving here for any other reason than the TAX that should be paid.
If anyone has better factual information, please post it. It will be of benefit to those who are affected by this issue, and I am always willing to learn from those who know more about Mexican law than I do.