GUADALAJARA, JAL.- A stopped unit stops producing, and although the causes that can lead a tractor-trailer to the workshop are diverse, behind its availability there is also a challenge for the tractor-trailer parts chain : having the correct component and in the necessary quantities when the carrier requires it.
Inventory planning thus becomes relevant to keep units moving, particularly in the face of demand that can change depending on fleet needs.
During the meeting “Connections that drive the path” , organized by Converto SPs in Guadalajara, Iván Carrillo, Sales Manager of Continental , pointed out that maintaining the correct part numbers and quantities represents one of the challenges of this chain.
“It’s always a challenge to have the right part numbers in the right quantities, believe me, it’s a real headache,” he stressed.
The challenge lies in responding to dynamic demand. Carrillo gave the example that there may be seasons when a customer requires 20 airbags and the available inventory is only 10.
“This is very dynamic; having the right inventory, the right part number is a big challenge,” he emphasized.
But obtaining the part is only part of the challenge . Its performance also has implications for vehicle availability and the costs faced by a trucking company .
The specialist explained that a part that fails prematurely can necessitate a replacement, requiring the vehicle to be returned to the workshop early, increasing downtime and, consequently, costs. If the failure occurs on the road, it may even require roadside assistance.
“In a short time you’re going to have to repair it again, you’re going to have to bring your units back to the workshop again and that costs money, inactivity costs money,” he said.
From this perspective, the purchase price is no longer the only factor in choosing a tractor part . Performance, replacement cycles, and the cost of taking a unit out of service for maintenance are also taken into account.
That’s where the concept of total cost of ownership comes in , which Carrillo linked to the investment made in the components and their performance during operation.
Availability also requires coordination between manufacturers and distributors. In this regard, he emphasized that even with technological advancements, a component needs to be available on the market when the customer requires it. In Continental’s case, the company works with Converto SPs as a business partner to make its portfolio more accessible to different channels.
Thus, the challenge for the truck parts supply chain goes beyond expanding a catalog: it involves anticipating demand, having the required part number available, and reducing the chances of a unit being out of service , because for a fleet the cost of a spare part does not end with the part itself; it can also be measured in the time the truck is out of service.
According to the consulting firm IMARC Group , the aftermarket for heavy vehicles in Mexico reached 2.1 billion dollars (USD) in 2025 with an estimated 3.4 billion USD in 2034.
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