CALPULALPAN, TLAXCALA – The automotive transport sector in Mexico is experiencing a period of reduced activity. The economic slowdown, increased operating costs, and reduced exports are beginning to impact fleets, with car carriers idled and more cautious investment decisions by transport companies, acknowledged Xavier Augonnet, General Director for Mexico at Lohr .

“The economy is very slow, we know that. The decisions of the American president, the wars, the increased price of diesel, the significant drop in exports from Mexico… there is a market contraction,” the executive stated.

The impact is already being felt in the sector’s daily operations. According to Augonnet, some fleets dedicated to automotive transport have reduced activity, particularly those linked to exports to the United States .

“All our clients come through here, but they are all experiencing significant slowdowns in activity, with their businesses at a standstill,” he commented.

Despite this, the French company maintains its growth plans in the country and seeks to strengthen its participation in the national market, where it currently concentrates around 10% of the segment .

The company’s strategy aims to develop more robust local operations, both in manufacturing and in after-sales services and maintenance , with the goal of directly serving Mexican carriers from its plant in Calpulalpan, Tlaxcala.

“It doesn’t make sense for customers to buy a unit in the United States and then have to import it themselves. We’re here, we have operations, we have a repair center, and we’re going to develop more services,” Augonnet emphasized.

The executive explained that a year ago the company only worked with two clients in Mexico and now operates with eight, while the goal is to continue expanding its presence in the national market.

“I was hired to develop the Mexican market. I hope that tomorrow we will have 12 or 15 clients. The point is to capture the market,” he said.

Lohr ‘s investment in Mexico is also part of a broader regional strategy. François Lhomme, president of the Lohr Group, stated that the operation in Tlaxcala serves as the company’s industrial base for North America.

“Mexico is strategic for Lohr because it represents our industrial base for all of North America,” he stated.

From this facility, the company seeks to serve not only the Mexican market, but also the United States, Canada, and later other South American countries .

“We want to use this industrial base to serve all other countries up to Brazil,” Lhomme added.

Currently, the plant maintains around 200 employees, although the company expects to continue expanding capabilities and personnel in the coming years as the regional market develops.

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El cargo Lohr maintains its commitment to Mexico despite the contraction in automotive transport apareció primero en T21.

2026 began with a significant adjustment for the heavy vehicle industry in Mexico . Production and exports, two of the sector’s main drivers, registered declines of over 50% during January, marking a less dynamic start to the year for plants located in the country, according to the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) .

During the first month of the year, 6,793 units were produced , representing a decrease of 51.9% compared to January 2025, according to the ANPACT report.

Of the total manufactured, 6,653 units corresponded to the cargo segment and 140 to the passenger segment , confirming that production activity continues to be concentrated mainly on vehicles for the transport of goods.

The adjustment was also reflected in foreign trade. Last January, 5,076 units were exported , all from the cargo segment, representing a 53.8% contraction compared to the same month of the previous year.

Furthermore, the international reach was smaller: during January 2026, heavy vehicles were sent to seven countries , including Canada, Colombia and Peru, while in the cumulative period from January to December 2025, exports had reached 14 markets .

By segment, tractor-trailer trucks registered 2,481 units exported, a decrease of 51.7% compared to 2015, while the other cargo category reached 2,595 units, with a drop of 55.5% . Overall, the subtotal of cargo fell from 10,970 to 5,076 units.

The total cargo and passengers exported in the first month of the year stood at five thousand 076 units, compared to 10 thousand 985 in January 2025.

Thus, the start of 2026 reflects a profound adjustment in the sector’s foreign trade, with widespread declines in both tractor units and the rest of the segments.

In terms of technology, production and exports maintained a traditional composition: in January no electric or natural gas vehicle units were produced or exported , so manufacturing was concentrated on conventional configurations.

Used: a flow that continues to weigh

While production and exports face a contracting environment, the import of used heavy vehicles continues to be a structural element of the Mexican market.

Between January and December 2025, 26,064 used heavy vehicles entered the country , a figure that represented a decrease of 14.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

However, the magnitude of the phenomenon remains relevant: for every 100 new vehicles, 65.4 used ones are imported , a proportion that maintains pressure on the renewal of the vehicle fleet and on the dynamics of the production industry established in Mexico.

The start of 2026 paints a picture in which domestic manufacturing and exports face an adjustment phase, while the flow of used units continues to have a significant weight in the domestic market.

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El cargo Heavy industry slows production and exports at the start of 2026 apareció primero en T21.

Stellantis Mexico announced the rollout of the first Ram 1500 produced at the new Saltillo Truck Light Duty Plant , marking a new stage in the company’s manufacturing strategy in the country.

“The rollout of this first unit at our new plant demonstrates the capability, dedication, and skilled Mexican workforce. This production reaffirms our commitment to Mexico and to our employees, who make it possible for every vehicle assembled at this plant to meet the highest quality standards,” said Carlos Rivera, Vice President of Manufacturing at Stellantis Mexico.

The unit is a Ram 1500 4×4 Crew Cab Bighorn, destined for the domestic market , and was assembled to the highest quality standards. With this addition, Stellantis expands its production capacity, adding local manufacturing to its export production.

The production of this model in Mexico aims to consolidate the complex as a key point within the global operation . The focus includes serving the domestic market, in addition to maintaining its position as an exporting country.

The announcement aligns with the company’s vision of continuing to invest in Mexico. The strategy includes creating jobs and expanding operations to meet domestic market demand.

Stellantis Mexico has been operating since 1938 and has more than 17,000 employees in three regions of the country . Its facilities include a Parts Distribution Center in Toluca and eight production plants in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Coahuila.

During 2025, according to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 266,027 units of Stellantis RAM products were produced in Mexico , with August being the month with the highest production at 27,050 units.

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El cargo Stellantis begins production of the Ram 1500 at the Saltillo Truck plant apareció primero en T21.

FedEx Mexico and the Ministry of Economy (SE) signed a collaboration agreement to improve the export of products with the “Made in Mexico” certification. The alliance aims to offer affordable logistics solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to strengthen their ability to compete in international markets.

Jorge Luis Torres, Vice President of Operations and CEO of FedEx Mexico, stated that the agreement represents a “strategic alliance to strengthen the national productive ecosystem” and emphasized that micro-enterprises are the ones that take risks, innovate and generate jobs, so this program will open access to new markets for them and give greater visibility to what is proudly made in Mexico.

“Mexico is experiencing a historic moment. The industrial, technological, and logistical future of the region is being shaped today, and FedEx wants to be part of this story we are building together. We reaffirm our commitment to continue supporting the Mexican government and businesses on this path of shared growth, with the conviction that a Mexico more connected to the world is a more competitive Mexico,” he stated.

The executive emphasized that the agreement’s benefits include discounts of up to 45% on FedEx Business services and special support for those with “Made in Mexico” certification. Furthermore, it offers educational support to improve product competitiveness and presentation, enabling more entrepreneurs to “compete on a level playing field and expand their international presence .” The goal is to connect Mexican innovation with consumers and partners in more than 220 countries.

For his part, Fernando Díaz, Director General of Productive Development at the Ministry of Economy, pointed out that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the Mexican economy, representing more than 99% of businesses and generating more than 70% of the country’s employment . With this agreement, they will be able to export faster and under better conditions, leveraging FedEx’s logistical capabilities.

He also mentioned other benefits of the agreement, such as free quarterly webinars on logistics and exporting, personalized packaging advice, and international promotion through FedEx’s global network. Díaz emphasized that these tools, previously reserved for large corporations, will now be available to small businesses.

For her part, Andrea Genoveva Solano, head of the Regulations, Competitiveness, and Competition Unit at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted that FedEx is a global benchmark for efficiency and innovation, with a robust operation in Mexico that includes more than 9,000 jobs, 83 facilities, and 45 weekly international flights . This infrastructure, she said, demonstrates confidence and solid investment in the country’s economic development.

Finally, Vidal Llerenas, Undersecretary of Industry and Commerce at the Ministry of Economy, thanked FedEx for joining the “Made in Mexico” initiative. He explained that, in a protectionist global context, logistics is key for SMEs to integrate and export, complementing the government’s efforts to simplify procedures.

This public-private collaboration aims to ensure that opportunities reach all regions and that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) become key players in national development.

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El cargo FedEx and the Ministry of Economy join forces to export “Made in Mexico” products apareció primero en T21.

August data confirmed that the heavy vehicle industry is going through one of its most challenging periods. Wholesale orders fell sharply, highlighting the fragility of demand and the need to rethink strategies toward the end of the year, according to the Monthly Statistical Report of the   National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) .

The contraction was replicated in production lines and shipments abroad . During August, 8,187 units were assembled, a 62.4% drop compared to the same month last year; in the cumulative January-August period , production was 99,306 vehicles, 31.6% less than the same period in 2024 .

In parallel, exports totaled 6,605 units , which implied a fall of 59.4% in the month and 25.8% in the accumulated period .

The United States remained the top destination, with 78,283 vehicles in eight months, albeit down 26.5 percent.

The domestic market also felt the blow. Retail sales closed August at 3,356 units, 37.9% less than a year earlier , and accumulated 27,282 in the first eight months, representing a 26.5 percent drop.

For Cristina Vázquez, coordinator of Economic Studies at the  Mexican Association of Automotive Dealers (AMDA) , this performance reflects the eighth consecutive negative annual rate in 2025 and confirms the market’s slowdown trend.

At the same time, the import of used heavy vehicles from the United States added pressure to the sector.

Between January and July, 14,464 units were imported, a 22% drop compared to 2024. However, the ratio between new and used vehicles maintains the worrying trend previously mentioned by ANPACT: for every 100 new vehicles sold, 60 used vehicles are imported.

Presenting the results, Rogelio Arzate, executive president of ANPACT, warned that the situation reflects the volatility of international trade and tariff uncertainty. “The key is to strengthen our domestic market through a swift and effective vehicle renewal, allowing us to modernize the fleet with more efficient, safer, and less polluting vehicles,” he stated.

The leader emphasized the urgency of promoting financing schemes and tax incentives to replace older units and curb the entry of used vehicles. “This practice represents a setback in road safety, environmental sustainability, and the country’s competitiveness,” he emphasized.

The industry will have the opportunity to outline proposals and build bridges with authorities and transporters in search of a change of direction at Expo Transporte ANPACT 2025 , from November 12 to 14 in Guadalajara.

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El cargo Red figures mark the direction of heavy trucking apareció primero en T21.

In San Ángel, amidst the tourists strolling on Saturdays and the mingling colors of the Jardín del Arte, Alejandro Galaviz Torres exhibits his paintings, where his brushstrokes seem to have an inevitable destiny to travel beyond Mexico City.

The curious thing is that, at first, Alejandro Galaviz didn’t plan it that way. A graphic designer by training, he spent years in the corporate world until a job restructuring gave him the final push to dedicate himself fully to painting.

“I had prayed for the opportunity to dedicate myself to the arts, and suddenly it arrived. It was forced upon me, but from then on, I dedicated myself to art,” he recalled.

The first sales came naturally with acquaintances, galleries, and eventually, the Jardín del Arte, where his work began to attract the attention of foreign visitors.

“Many people wanted to take a painting, but didn’t know how to transport it. I didn’t know how to help them either, until I found UPS ,” he said.

The first challenge was a special order for a Peruvian client who wanted a large Snoopy that couldn’t be rolled up or transported in a suitcase.

Because art requires almost surgical care, the entrepreneur took the piece to the UPS branch on Insurgentes, where he discovered he didn’t have to worry about packaging , as the team took care of everything, with packaging designed to protect each work.

“They cleared up all my doubts, and the piece arrived perfectly. That experience gave me the confidence to continue exporting. I learned not to be afraid of exporting. Knowing that your work is loved and that people want to take it home is a source of pride,” he emphasized.

Over time, shipments to Miami, other cities in the United States, and South America became part of their business.

Logistics, which was once a barrier, is now an added value offered to its customers.

Edith Prado, manager of the UPS Access Point Network, explained to T21 that cases like Alejandro Galaviz’s are part of a global strategy to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) , a sector that represents 52% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  and is responsible for a large part of the country’s employment, according to figures from the Ministry of Economy .

“Globally, we support more than 110,000 companies. We provide them with personalized advice, training, technology, and comprehensive solutions so that their shipping experience is as satisfying as their product purchase,” he noted.

UPS’s support extends beyond the counter. Edith Prado explained that the company trains its staff to guide customers on safe packaging, including using recycled materials, conducts in-person workshops and specific webinars, and provides advice on minimum export documentation , such as invoices and packing lists.

He also explained how to take advantage of Mexico’s free trade agreements with the rest of the world by reducing or eliminating tariffs.

“The United States is key, but we also encourage SMEs to reach Canada, Latin America, the European Union, and other destinations. For example, in 2024 we will export more than $18.6 billion to Canada, and in South America there are markets like Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Peru eager for our products,” Prado commented.

The company is also committed to e-commerce as a means of internationalization.

“If an SME doesn’t get into e-commerce, it will be left behind. Today, this channel has grown 20% in Mexico, reaching a value of more than 789 billion pesos,” he concluded.

For Alejandro Galaviz, exporting is no longer a distant dream, but a natural part of his job.

Her goal now is to reach international galleries and collaborate with major brands. Meanwhile, she continues to work every weekend in San Ángel, selling art that, thanks to a strategic alliance, now knows no boundaries.

“My advice to other entrepreneurs is to follow their hearts, strengthen what they love most, and find a logistics partner they trust. In my case, UPS has been that bridge that has allowed my paintings to reach homes around the world,” he emphasized.

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El cargo From canvas to the world: the story of a Mexican artist who found a bridge to export apareció primero en T21.

The Port of Long Beach , located in California, United States, reached its highest level of activity for that month in July and the third most intense in its 114-year history, processing 944,232 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) , which represented an increase of 7% compared to July 2024.

Imports increased by 7.6%, reaching 468,081 TEUs , while exports decreased by 12.9%, totaling 91,328 TEUs; and empty container throughput grew by 12.3%, reaching 384,824 TEUs.

“Retailers are now seeing the arrival of products purchased at lower costs during the temporary pause imposed on tariffs and retaliatory tariffs earlier this year,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

The executive also revealed that a 10% drop in cargo volume is expected for the second half of 2025 , according to a projection from its digital tool, Supply Chain Information Highway . He also indicated that changes in trade policies could lead to a year of flat growth.

Meanwhile, Frank Colonna, president of the Port of Long Beach Commission, thanked terminal operators, shippers, longshoremen, and others for moving cargo at a record pace .

He said he will continue working hand in hand with the industry and workers to respond to the needs of his customers.

So far this year, the Port of Long Beach has handled a total of 5,690,863 TEUs , representing a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The Port of Long Beach is the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade. It handles more than $300 billion in merchandise each year and is one of the 18 strategic commercial seaports in the United States.

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El cargo Port of Long Beach reaches record operations in July apareció primero en T21.

The transformation of Mexican customs is moving forward with the strategy of increasing revenue collection, strengthening legality and facilitating foreign trade , as stated by Admiral Fernando Alfonso Angli Rodríguez, Director General of Customs Operations of the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , when presenting the results, challenges and vision shared by the different areas of the agency.

El cargo Modernization and operational control: this is how Mexican customs are transforming apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican heavy vehicle industry is holding steady thanks to two key variables: production and exports . Amid an adverse economic environment, where sales are plummeting and domestic consumption is cooling, data from the first half of 2025 show that the sector remains on the move, albeit with clear contrasts, according to the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) and the Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors (AMDA) .

“June was the best month for production so far this year,” said Rogelio Arzate , executive president of ANPACT, confirming that 14,189 units were assembled , the highest volume of 2025.

While in the January-June period, production reached 77,397 vehicles , of which 75,500 were cargo vehicles . While this represented a 24.1% drop compared to the same period in 2024 , it is an indicator of “resilience” in the face of external demand, Arzate explained.

In exports, Mexico sold 68,148 units abroad during the semester, a decrease of 13.6 percent .

The United States remains the main destination, with 64,656 units in the accumulated total for 2025 , although it showed a contraction of 15% , worsened in June with an annual drop of 21.5 percent .

Arzate noted that markets such as Canada, Colombia, Peru, and Chile  reported significant growth. In June alone, 12,331 heavy vehicles left the country , consolidating the sector’s export role despite the slowdown in the U.S. market.

In terms of technology, diesel remains almost completely dominant: of the units produced, 76,517 ran on diesel , 836 on natural gas , and 44 on electric .

In exports, the pattern was repeated: 67,355 units were diesel , 750 natural gas , and 43 electric , revealing the slow progress of clean technologies in this segment.

But while production and exports boosted the sector, sales have failed to improve . The wholesale market experienced a 47.7% contraction , with only 14,533 units sold in the first half of the year. In June 2025, only 2,253 units were sold , representing a 66.8% drop compared to the same month in 2024.

“We are in a year of readjustment, not defeat,” Arzate emphasized. He said the annual projection was adjusted to 35,935 units , compared to the more than 45,000 estimated at the beginning of the year.

Retail , for its part, also showed warning signs. According to AMDA figures, June saw its sixth consecutive month of declines , with 3,075 units sold , 32.82 % fewer than in 2024.

In the half-yearly accumulation, 20,549 units were registered , a decrease of 22.96 percent .

The tractor-trailer segment (the most important) fell 45% in June 2025, while only intercity buses achieved positive figures (11.97%).

Behind the collapse, a central factor was identified: distrust. “Beyond an economic slowdown, what we’re seeing is a postponement of purchasing decisions by companies and transporters,” explained Guillermo Rosales , executive president of AMDA.

In addition to the economic environment , the domestic market faces additional pressure from the influx of used heavy-duty vehicles . According to ANPACT, for every 100 new units sold in Mexico, 59 used ones are imported, the highest level recorded in recent years.

Although the total volume of these imports decreased 24.8% in the first half of the year, the ratio of new to used units increased, making fleet renewal difficult and affecting the competitiveness of the formal market.

Despite the current situation, the sector maintains a strategic focus, Arzate commented, which is the ANPACT 2025 Transport Expo , which will take place from November 12 to 14 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and which could mark a turning point.

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El cargo Heavy industry is holding up due to production and exports, although sales continue to decline apareció primero en T21.

With 25% year-over-year growth since 2021, Sea Cargo Logistics , a Mexican freight forwarder, has a clear strategy for air freight transport in the coming years, as it will focus its expansion on Latin America and Europe, as well as on relocation opportunities in Mexico .

Aurelien Vélez, the company’s president, told T21 that they plan to increase merchandise exports and are already negotiating with suppliers and forging new partnerships to help boost their growth in these markets.

Among these new options is Italy . “We’re now working with the consolidated approach from this country, and we’re going to do it differently, and it’s going to work very well,” he anticipates. He maintains that the firm’s differentiator is “looking for ways to do it, not the way it’s always been done, but looking outside the box to see how it can be done.”

Giovanni de la Rosa, National Sales Director, states that this service will be available at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) , however, they will also look for an option at Felipe Ángeles Airport (AIFA) , an infrastructure where he assures that the bottlenecks they initially experienced were resolved through alliances.

“It’s a good service, and customers are reassured. From Italy, we’ll reach the AICM, and surely at some point, if we have a freighter, we’ll reach the AIFA. Today, we have two consolidated routes to important countries, a third is coming, and perhaps we’ll move on to Asia, South America, and other countries. Colombia is important. We’ll see how we diversify because everyone is looking at Asia, and we have offices in South and Central America; we have potential. It’s a strategy to break away from what everyone else is doing,” he maintains.

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El cargo Sea Cargo Logistics “takes a runway” in its air strategy apareció primero en T21.