For years, we understood logistics competitiveness in Mexico as a race to accumulate assets to solve problems individually: who had the largest fleet, the most modern distribution center, or the most comprehensive software . We operated under a proprietary logistics model, where information secrecy and absolute control of resources were the norm. However, in the context of 2026—with companies relocating and saturating our capacity ( nearshoring ) and constant geopolitical volatility— this model reached its limit .

Today, “I’ll do it alone” is a recipe for inefficiency . It’s time to move towards what I call Radical Collaboration .

But first, let’s see why we’re at this turning point. 2026 isn’t just the year of the World Cup or the consolidation of nearshoring , but the year where the gap between companies that “move cash” and those that “manage intelligence” has become insurmountable .

As professionals in the sector, we face a convergence of geopolitical tensions, disruptive technological advances, and unprecedented pressure for sustainability.

In my view of the current system, I propose five pillars that define the survival and success of our supply chains in Mexico today:

1. The Nearshoring Mirage : Geographic location is irrelevant without real operational efficiency.
2. Logistics 5.0: The return of human talent as the true orchestrator in the face of automation.
3. Radical Collaboration: The end of “Ownership Logistics” and the birth of shared ecosystems.
4. Logistics Shielding: Integrating logistics security with cutting-edge technology for risk prediction.
5. The Discipline of Data: The most advanced software fails without a solid process culture.

And to understand the trend and transform execution, we must begin the transition towards collaborative economy models — what I call Collaborative Logistics — to optimize the country’s idle assets and gain resilience as a bloc, Radical Collaboration .

The cost of operational isolation

We cannot ignore the data: trucks traveling with 30% idle capacity, empty return trips eating away at profit margins, and underutilized distribution centers while the neighbor desperately seeks space. In a Mexico that aspires to be the Hub of North America, this waste of assets is not just an administrative error; it represents a loss of national competitiveness.

True resilience will not come from buying more equipment, but from optimizing what we already have through sharing resources.

Synchronization over possession

In Radical Collaboration I propose three pillars that we must adopt as a professional association:

1. Shared Assets: If my route coincides with that of a “competitor” and we both carry a partial load, collaboration is the only logical way to reduce costs and carbon footprint.
2. Network Visibility: Breaking the Information Secrecy. Real-time data visibility (traffic, risks, customs) is most valuable when shared. A connected ecosystem reacts faster than an isolated company.
3. Systemic Trust: This is the biggest challenge. We need clear protocols and partnerships that act as guarantors of this trust.

We Have The Perfect Laboratory

From my practical perspective, I see Mexico’s potential not only as a transformative hub, but also as a collaborative node. We can be the great laboratory where industry, transportation, and government cease operating in isolation and begin functioning as a synchronized network.

In conclusion, the era of competing for assets is over; the era of competing for collaborative architectures has begun. As supply chain professionals, our job today is not just to manage inventories, but to orchestrate communities .

In logistics, if you’re not collaborating, you’re wasting the future of your organization and Mexico’s.

Is your organization ready to open up its data for the sake of collective efficiency?

*Rodolfo López Cerdán is an independent supply chain consultant and advisor to #SoyLogístico .

Comment and connect with Rodolfo López Cerdán on LinkedIn .

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Vehicle leasing is no longer just a financial tool, but an operational one. In an environment where liquidity and efficiency are more important than asset ownership, this model has gained ground as a strategy for companies, including freight carriers, according to TIP Mexico .

The scheme is not limited to light vehicles. TIP Mexico offers solutions for tractor-trailers, trailers and semi-trailers, as well as cars, vans and buses , thus expanding its reach within the business mobility sector.

Given this scenario, the company offers a guide to understand how vehicle leasing works and, above all, what to expect, and what not to expect, when contracting this type of service.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to understanding its scope:

1. It operates on a different logic: you don’t buy, you operate.
   Leasing works under an operating expense (OpEx) scheme, which allows you to preserve capital, improve cash flow and maintain financial flexibility, explained TIP Mexico.

In practice, this means that the carrier pays for the use of the asset, not for its ownership.

2. What a leasing company does

The value of a leasing company is not limited to financing. According to TIP Mexico, its role can directly impact operations:

• Optimizes resources: allows for more predictable financial planning.
• It facilitates fleet renewal: especially towards cleaner technologies.
• Manage the fleet: centralize procedures, maintenance, and telemetry.
• It offers flexible schemes: adapted to the client’s operation.

At this point, support can be as important as unity itself.

3. What it doesn’t do (and is often confused with)

One of the most common mistakes is assuming that the leasing company controls the operation. This is not the case, TIP Mexico warned.

• It does not manage routes or last mile: the strategy remains in the hands of the carrier.
• It does not control the operators: operational performance is the responsibility of the client.
• It does not assume legal responsibility for the use: regulatory compliance falls on the user.
• It does not automatically absorb all costs: expenses such as ownership, maintenance or insurance depend on the user.

This is where the success or failure of the model is defined: in the clarity of responsibilities.

4. The key lies in shared responsibility.

Leasing does not replace the carrier’s management, it complements it.

While the leasing company guarantees the availability of the asset and operational support, the company must ensure its proper use and safekeeping, TIP Mexico indicated.

5. A model that is gaining ground

The sector’s growth supports this change. The fleet of leased vehicles grew 24.4% in the last annual cycle, reflecting a shift towards asset-based leasing models, according to data cited by TIP Mexico.

More than a financial solution, leasing is emerging as an operational tool. But its effectiveness depends not only on the leasing company, but also on how clearly the carrier understands where the service ends… and where their responsibility begins.

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