After more than a year since the first crossing of vehicles through the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , the second shipment with three thousand vehicles from Hyundai Glovis Mexico was carried out .

The units arrived from the ship Glovis Condor at the port of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, coming from Masan, South Korea, to be transferred by the interoceanic railway to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, towards the ports of Brunswick and Philadelphia, in the United States.

“The arrival of this second interoceanic vehicle crossing demonstrates the private sector’s confidence in Oaxaca’s logistical capabilities. Each operation strengthens the state’s position as a key hub for international trade and contributes to generating investment, employment, and well-being for Oaxacan families,” highlighted Raúl Ruiz Robles, Secretary of Economic Development of Oaxaca.

He emphasized that the state government is working in coordination with the CIIT to take advantage of the strategic benefits of this infrastructure, promote the attraction of investments , and generate greater development opportunities for the state.

It is worth remembering that on March 27, 2025, the Glovis Cosmos ship arrived at the port of Salina Cruz from Asia, with 900 units of said automotive company as part of a pilot program to use the CIIT , thus making the first interoceanic crossing.

Ruiz Robles considered that the transfer of these units reaffirms the potential of the CIIT to offer efficient logistics solutions , strengthen national and international supply chains and consolidate the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as one of the main centers of economic development in the country.

This operation represents a new step forward in the consolidation of the Corridor , a project promoted by the Mexican government to boost development in the south-southeast of the country, improve connectivity between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and consolidate a logistics platform that increases Mexico’s competitiveness in international trade, he stressed.

This move confirms the continuity of the service and the confidence of international companies in this logistics platform.

Furthermore, it strengthens the country’s strategy to position the CIIT as a global logistics hub to serve supply chains linked to the automotive industry and other sectors.

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The uncertainty generated by changes in North American trade policies has become one of the main factors holding back investment decisions and business strategies within the heavy vehicle industry , said Manny Katakis, Senior Analyst at S&P Global Mobility .

The warning comes in a context where the firm reduced its economic growth expectation for Mexico from 1.2% to 0.9% for 2026, while the forecast for North America was also adjusted downwards by 0.3 percentage points compared to its previous report.

According to the company, the slower economic growth is associated with trade uncertainty, high energy costs, and persistent geopolitical tensions at a global level.

During the AMDA Commercial Vehicles Forum 2026 , held by the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) , the specialist pointed out that beyond tariffs or trade measures, the main challenge for manufacturers and customers is the lack of certainty about the permanence of these policies.

“More than the policies themselves, what is affecting the market is inconsistency and uncertainty,” he commented.

Katakis explained that the industry continues to monitor the evolution of trade policies driven by the United States, as well as the review process of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , whose definition will be key for manufacturers’ long-term planning.

He even suggested that, although it is not part of S&P Global Mobility ‘s base scenario , there is a possibility that the three countries will end up negotiating separate bilateral agreements instead of maintaining a trilateral treaty.

“It is a possible scenario among the options that currently exist,” he said.

Given this environment, several commercial vehicle manufacturers have begun to adjust their manufacturing strategies , favoring greater regionalization of production in North America.

According to the analyst, some automakers are strengthening operations specifically aimed at serving local markets, while others are reconfiguring their supply chains to reduce risks associated with regulatory or commercial changes.

Among the examples he mentioned were new investments and production projects announced in Mexico, the United States and Canada, as well as strategic moves by manufacturers seeking greater flexibility to respond to possible changes in the region’s trade conditions.

He recalled that the Mexican market for medium and heavy vehicles went from occupying the eighth position worldwide to number 14 after the slowdown observed after the pre-purchase of units registered in 2024, which has forced manufacturers and distributors to rethink strategies for the coming years.

Katakis highlighted that one of the companies best positioned to adapt to changing scenarios is PACCAR , because it has production capacity in all three North American countries.

Conversely, he explained that other manufacturers maintain more concentrated production structures, which limits their room for maneuver in the face of possible tariff adjustments or modifications to trade agreements.

The specialist added that, in addition to trade uncertainty, factors such as the conflict in the Middle East continue to put pressure on the sector’s operating costs . As an example, he pointed out that the average price of diesel in Mexico is currently around 28 pesos per liter, compared to the 25 pesos average observed during 2025, a situation that continues to put pressure on transport companies and the logistics chain.

However, he considered that there are positive signs for the industry, including the recovery of heavy vehicle production in North America , an improvement in order intake and the expectation of a moderate economic recovery in Mexico during the next few years.

“There are encouraging signs, but we still need greater clarity on trade matters so that companies can resume their investment plans with greater confidence,” he concluded.

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During the Latin American Automotive Congress (CLAM) 2026, held in Quito, Ecuador, the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) , the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) and the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks and Tractor-Trailers (ANPACT) signed the so-called Quito Declaration, promoted by the Latin American Association of Automotive Distributors (ALADDA) .

The agreement seeks to consolidate a regional agenda focused on generating sectoral information, exchanging best practices, and promoting public policies related to trade, formalizing the sector, and sustainable mobility in Latin America.

Among the points included in the declaration, the organizations recognized that trade integration between Latin American countries will be a key factor for the competitiveness of the automotive industry in the face of changes in global trade .

In that regard, they proposed moving towards reducing tariffs and eliminating trade barriers that limit formal exchange between nations .

The document also warns about the effects of practices considered unfair within the automotive market , such as the entry of used vehicles and the importation of new units without official brand representation , noting that they can affect road safety, environmental commitments and the competitiveness of the formal industry.

Likewise, the Quito Declaration proposes that the tax regimes applicable to vehicles in the region be “reasonable, coherent and predictable”, aligned with objectives of economic growth, formalization and renewal of the vehicle fleet.

The document argues that an excessive tax burden limits the population’s access to vehicles with more advanced technologies and lower polluting emissions.

Another point agreed upon was to support public policies aimed at renewing the vehicle fleet through tax and financial incentives for the purchase of new vehicles with higher safety standards and lower emissions. In addition, the promotion of formal end-of-life vehicle disposal programs was proposed.

The declaration also promotes formal, low-emission public transport systems, integrated with individual and urban mobility schemes.

The document was signed by Guillermo Rosales, executive president of AMDA; Odracir Barquera, general director of AMIA; and Alejandro Osorio, director of Public Affairs and Communication of ANPACT.

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CALPULALPAN, TLAX.- Tlaxcala seeks to consolidate its position as one of Mexico’s emerging industrial hubs , supported by new investments, expansion of manufacturing companies and development of infrastructure linked to logistics and automotive , stated Javier Marroquín Calderón, head of the State Secretariat of Economic Development (Sedeco) .

The official noted that the state currently has industrial expansion projects totaling nearly $60 million, which are expected to create around 300 jobs in the region. He explained that some of these investments began in 2025 and are continuing to be finalized this year.

“The key is to continue working as a team between the private sector and the public sector,” he said.

According to Marroquín Calderón, the state’s industrial growth has also strengthened the ecosystem of suppliers, services, and economic benefits in municipalities with a manufacturing presence.

He stated that one of the state government’s objectives is to maintain conditions that allow for attracting new investments and expanding operations already established in Tlaxcala , particularly in sectors related to manufacturing, mobility, and logistics.

“We must be grateful to the companies that continue to invest so much in the country and the state,” he stressed.

The official highlighted that Tlaxcala has sought to position itself as a competitive entity for industry through institutional support and direct attention to companies located in the state.

Part of this strategy, he said, also includes strengthening industrial parks and economic development projects promoted during the current state administration.

Marroquín asserted that Tlaxcala remains among the states with the greatest progress in the projects of the so-called well-being poles.

He added that the state seeks to continue strengthening its industrial capacity through specialized labor, training, and coordination between the state government, municipalities, and private companies.

“We need to continue generating well-being for workers and their families. That is the key to achieving good results,” he emphasized.

With these actions, Tlaxcala seeks to grow its economic activity.

According to the Quarterly Indicator of State Economic Activity (ITAEE) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , in  primary activities , which include agriculture, fishing and livestock, Tlaxcala had an annual growth of 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025 (4T25).

The  industrial sector  reported a 1.3% year-on-year decline, although services showed better performance, with a 0.4% year-on-year increase in Q4 2025.

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Mexico has established itself as a major producer and supplier to the automotive industry, which is currently experiencing uncertainty surrounding the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . Manuel Montoya, director of the Nuevo León Automotive Cluster (CLAUT) , stressed that northeastern Mexico is emerging as a key region for strengthening the automotive supply chain.

In this regard, he highlighted that this area concentrates the majority of the country’s Tier 2 supply.

“The northeast region is primarily home to Mexican-owned companies that work for major automakers and top-tier suppliers. It’s a landscape that needs to be strengthened because it’s at the heart of national integration,” he stated.

Although production remains stable, new investments are on hold while the future of the negotiations is defined , warned Manuel Montoya, as they are waiting to see what happens with the rules of origin in this treaty.

“The sector continues to produce and export; we’re even at the same pace as last year and could close with four million vehicles manufactured in Mexico. However, new projects and models are on hold, awaiting clarity on the rules,” Montoya explained.

The demand to integrate more regional content has put pressure on international automakers, which in turn opens up opportunities for local suppliers.

Previously, some automakers preferred to pay a tariff for failing to comply with the rules of origin; today, with the threat of tariffs of up to 27.5% , that strategy is no longer viable.

“It’s no longer viable to rely on components from Japan or Germany. Corporations are pushing their plants in Mexico to find suppliers, and we see frequent requests in our region for processes such as plastic injection molding and machining. This represents a great opportunity for companies in the northeast and Mexico,” he explained.

Montoya also warned about other factors that directly impact the sector, such as the exchange rate, which affects the competitiveness of exporters, and electromobility, which requires investment in infrastructure and battery production in North America to reduce dependence on China.

Review of the USMCA: tensions and pending definitions

In this regard, Montoya anticipated that the treaty revision will bring pressure on two fronts: relaxing rules of origin , as some U.S. automakers are seeking; and tightening requirements , a position of regional governments seeking to maintain jobs and local content.

Added to this is the uncertainty surrounding China’s role in the North American market .

“Chinese companies have held back on their decision to set up plants in Mexico because it’s unclear whether they will be able to export their vehicles to the United States. This will be a key aspect of the negotiations,” he warned.

Regarding the Mexican government’s recent move to impose tariffs on Chinese vehicles, Montoya considered it a necessary action to level the competitive playing field.

“It’s logical that we ask for the rules to be changed, because these vehicles arrive with subsidies and under dumping conditions. We can’t give away our industry. Chinese cars have good technology and prices, but they must compete on a level playing field, also generating jobs and investment in Mexico,” he said.

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