Women’s participation in the trucking sector is limited, but more and more initiatives are emerging to reverse this trend. One of them is the one led by Volkswagen Truck & Bus Mexico , according to Romina Castillo, a product specialist in the company’s cargo unit.
The company has implemented training programs for operators and adapted its vehicles to make them more accessible, comfortable, and safe for all profiles, Castillo said in an interview with T21.
Along these lines, the company has trained two generations of female operators and is currently training its third in the cargo and passenger division.
“Today, these women have a source of income in this field,” Castillo said.
This commitment is particularly relevant given the driver shortage in Mexico , estimated at at least 60,000 jobs, according to figures from the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacar) from early 2025 .
Given this situation, Castillo emphasized that facilitating access to heavy transport for more people, including women, is a priority.
“We have a shortage of operators, and this helps more people get involved. That includes us, too,” she emphasized.
The technological evolution of vehicles also plays a key role in this opening, allowing drivers, both men and women, to feel more comfortable in their vehicles.
In this regard, Castillo also explained that the entire current Volkswagen Truck & Bus Mexico lineup features active safety systems such as stability control, traction control, and hill start assist, in addition to traditional systems like ABS and ABD.
“Ultimately, it’s a vehicle where the operator spends most of the day. What better way to do it safely and comfortably,” he noted. He also added updated front suspensions and automated transmissions, which make daily operation easier without sacrificing performance.
Castillo emphasized that this adjustment isn’t about assuming that womencan’t handle manual transmissions, but rather about creating conditions that allow for attracting new profiles to the sector.
“This is aimed at facilitating access. So that more people can join, so that more women are encouraged, and so that they have the confidence that there are vehicles available for them,” Castillo explained.
For the company, meeting regulatory requirements is no longer enough. The focus is on operator experience, professionalizing transportation, and opening up spaces that didn’t exist before.
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