The shortage of drivers remains one of the main structural challenges for the trucking industry in Mexico , a problem that is not new, but continues to condition the operation and growth of the sector.

This deficit is not only a reflection of an industry perception, but also a documented problem at a global level.

According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the National Chamber of Freight Transport (Canacar) , in Mexico the deficit is around 99,000 operators , a figure that already directly impacts the operational capacity of road transport.

In fact, Canacar has pointed out that this lack of personnel has left more than 90,000 vehicles idle due to a lack of operators , while internationally the situation is replicated on a larger scale, demonstrating that it is a structural challenge and not isolated to the Mexican market.

In this context, companies have had to focus part of their strategies not only on attracting talent, but also on retaining it and making it more efficient. Training has become a key element in reducing turnover, optimizing unit performance, and avoiding corrective maintenance that impacts operating costs.

At the same time, the proper use of vehicles and the technical training of operators are positioned as factors that directly affect the useful life of the units, in an environment where efficiency is increasingly crucial for profitability.

Under this scenario, Isuzu Motors de México is focusing its strategy on supporting its customers—both fleet operators and retailers—in developing operational capabilities. The company has committed to strengthening operator training as a way to address this structural challenge in the sector.

“For several years we have been focused on assisting our clients to provide their operators with the necessary training so that they can maintain and operate the units according to the needs of each vehicle,” José Manuel García Soria, the company’s Fleet Development Manager, explained to T21.

The automaker also highlighted reliability as one of its main differentiators, particularly in its diesel engines, where, according to García, fuel efficiency and durability continue to be key attributes for its customers.

In that context, the firm maintains in its portfolio the range of Euro 6 vehicles , corresponding to the 2026 model year, while advancing in the incorporation of new products, such as its D-Max pickup, which is expected to arrive soon in the Mexican market.

In an environment where operational challenges persist , the combination of technology, efficiency, and human capital is emerging as one of the main routes to sustain the operation of road transport.

In 2025, the Japanese automaker sold 5,910 units at retail, which represented a 10% increase compared to 2024.

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El cargo Isuzu Motors de México focuses on operators in the face of the sector’s structural challenge apareció primero en T21.

The trucking industry faces a critical shift in its maintenance services . Fleets are incorporating increasingly technological vehicles, but the network of workshops still shows shortcomings in diagnostics, training, and processes—a bottleneck that threatens the sector’s daily operations, according to experts.

The challenge is particularly relevant in an industry that drives the country’s economy, where every hour of downtime directly impacts costs, delivery times, and road safety. Adding to the pressure to reduce downtime are increased technical, regulatory, and efficiency demands , such as the implementation of GPS tracking systems, in an environment where many workshops still operate under traditional models , with poorly standardized processes and a high dependence on the individual mechanic’s experience.

Added to this scenario is the growing coexistence of combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, both in fleets and in the general vehicle fleet, each with different repair requirements and more complex systems.

Natalia Salcedo Franco, CEO and founder of Pitz , a company specializing in technological solutions for automotive workshops, warned that one of the main challenges is not only access to spare parts or equipment, but the lack of tools that allow for more accurate and faster diagnoses.

Salcedo asserted that in practice, a diagnosis can take up to two hours, and an error at this stage not only increases costs and repair times , but also increases operational and road safety risks.

The situation becomes even more critical with the arrival of electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Incorrect calibration, incomplete diagnosis, or a lack of technical knowledge can lead to malfunctions that manifest on the road, increasing accident rates and eroding consumer confidence in independent service, the specialist noted.

Technology as an enabler, not as a substitute

In this context, digitalization is emerging as a key enabler for the transformation of automotive services. Beyond simply selling isolated tools, the debate centers on how to integrate technology that helps workshops automate administrative tasks, accelerate diagnostics, and streamline workflows , without relying on expensive infrastructure or specialized hardware .

Salcedo explained that one of the biggest myths in the industry is the idea that the scanner solves the entire diagnostic problem. In reality, he indicated, the scanner works like a dictionary : it identifies error codes, but it doesn’t explain the origin of the problem on its own, nor the complete context of the fault. That’s where time is lost and the margin of error increases.

He emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) serves as a support tool that helps mechanics interpret information, understand causes, and prioritize repairs, without replacing human technical knowledge. This is particularly relevant in an industry where a single vehicle can have between 15,000 and 24,000 parts and thousands of possible combinations of failures, he explained.

Productivity, profitability and trust

Beyond diagnostics, another structural challenge for automotive service is productivity . Workshops that have repaired a limited number of vehicles per week for years often assume that this is their operational ceiling, when in reality the bottleneck lies in internal organization, parts management , and customer communication.

Profitability doesn’t necessarily increase by buying cheaper parts, but by getting vehicles back on the road faster , with accurate diagnostics, clear processes, and defined delivery times. In this sense, technology allows for the reduction of hundreds of hours of administrative work per month, freeing up staff time to focus on higher-value tasks.

There’s also a key component of transparency. In many cases, the relationship between repair shop and customer is strained by mistrust: the customer feels taken advantage of when they receive a long list of repairs. However, it’s not always about abuse, but rather a lack of clear information about what’s urgent, what can wait, and the risks of not addressing certain issues.

Standardizing diagnostics and better communicating the actual condition of the vehicle helps build long-term relationships , foster customer loyalty, and ensure business sustainability, especially in an environment where after-sales service is increasingly important.

A regional challenge with social impact

The debate goes beyond technology. Salcedo asserted that in Latin America, millions of families depend directly or indirectly on automotive services. Small and medium-sized workshops sustain entire local economies , but they operate in a fragmented market with slim margins and high levels of informality.

“This is a global industry valued at over a trillion dollars, where revenue is concentrated in the hands of a few players, while thousands of workshops operate with limited income. The adoption of technology, properly understood, is not about displacing labor, but about optimizing time, improving income, and raising the quality of life for those who depend on this activity,” he emphasized.

Looking ahead

In 2026, the automotive sector faces a dilemma: accelerate the professionalization of after-sales service or face a bottleneck that hinders the adoption of new vehicle technologies . Electrification will advance, but without a network of workshops that is prepared, trained, and supported by digital tools, the end user will bear the cost.

The challenge is not only technical, but cultural: accepting that technology can be a strategic ally for growth, getting out of the comfort zone and responding to an increasingly complex vehicle fleet, according to Salcedo.

After-sales service, historically relegated, is beginning to position itself as one of the key pillars for the competitiveness of the automotive industry in the coming years.

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El cargo Vehicle maintenance workshops under pressure in the era of electrification and digitalization apareció primero en T21.