During March 2025, the sale of heavy vehicles in the country reported a marked slowdown, with falls in most segments, according to figures from the statistical bulletin of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Truck Producers (ANPACT) .

In retail sales , 3,537 units were sold , a decrease compared to the 4,322 registered in March 2024. In the cumulative January to March, the figure rose to 11,010 units, below the 13,163 of last year.

By segment, freight accounted for the majority of retail sales in March, with 2,925 units. Fifth-wheel tractors accounted for the largest volume, with 1,695 units , although they also registered a 12.6% decrease compared to March of the previous year.

In passenger traffic, 592 units were sold, down from 738 last year. Despite the overall decline, intercity buses stood out with a 46.1% increase, selling 168 units.

Wholesale sales totaled 2,755 units in March , a figure lower than the 4,651 in the same month of 2024. In the first quarter, 7,752 units were reported, also below the 12,880 in the same period of the previous year.

The freight segment accounted for 2,212 units in March wholesale sales , with a marked decline in Class 8 and tractor-trailers. In passenger vehicles, 543 units were sold, with intercity buses again standing out, with a 44% increase compared to 2024.

March figures show a slower start to the year in heavy vehicle sales. The entry into force of NOM-044 forced manufacturers and transporters to accelerate their transition to new technologies. Added to this is the trade uncertainty with the United States, marked by possible changes in Donald Trump’s policies. The sector remains on the move, but with more careful decisions.

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El cargo SLOWDOWN IN THE HEAVY-DUTY MARKET AT IDLE: ANPACT apareció primero en T21.

The heavy vehicle sector in Mexico faces a growing problem, with the import of used units reaching a historic record in 2024, setting off alarm bells in the auto transport industry.

According to data from the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT), 29,790 used units were imported last year , an increase of 47.9% compared to 2023.

This unprecedented increase is worrying the sector, as many of these units do not comply with environmental regulations or adequate safety standards.

“ These units do not have physical-mechanical conditions regulated, they are scrap, waste from the United States, and they are not in optimal and specific conditions to circulate here in Mexico, neither from the environmental point of view, nor from the point of view of safety , “ warned Rogelio Arzate , executive president of ANPACT.

The industry brought the issue to the table for discussion with the Mexican authorities. One of the strategies they have proposed is to take advantage of the review of the T-MEC (Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada) in 2026, to regulate the entry of these vehicles through stricter rules of origin.

“ Although the decree for the importation of used vehicles has been renewed, we believe that one measure is that, based on the T-MEC, the rule of origin be considered for the compliance of these vehicles, which would reduce the number of units that are being imported , ” explained Arzate.

He also explained that the sector proposes renewing the environmental agreements that regulate the circulation of these vehicles, arguing that the current regulations date back to 2004 and have allowed the entry of units that today, 20 years later, should not continue operating in Mexico.

Arzate said there is an open dialogue with the federal government on this issue and that they will continue to promote measures to curb the impact of this import.

Production and export in opposite direction

In announcing the performance of the industry during January 2025, ANPACT reported that the production of units in Mexico fell by 9.5% in January 2025. It reported that 14,108 units were manufactured , of which 13,839 were cargo and 269 were passenger .

Arzate commented that this drop is related to the entry into force of NOM-044 , which since January 1, 2025 determines that all units produced or imported comply with the Euro VI and EPA 10 standards .

In terms of exports , 10,985 units were sent abroad in January , which represented a 7.6% drop compared to January 2024. The drop in demand from key markets such as the United States and Canada has been a determining factor in this decline.

The United States remained the main destination, although with a 7.1% drop in shipments. Other markets such as Canada, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Ecuador and Colombia also reflected variations, with a significant reduction in Colombia , while Ecuador showed a slight increase.

Regarding this trend, Arzate pointed out that “there are many variables” that are affecting this situation, such as technological changes and economic impacts on countries. “The United States is currently undergoing an adjustment process and that is why there is a decline in production and exports,” he added.

The effect of the new regulations and lower production was also reflected in the domestic market. In January, wholesale sales fell by 30.5% , with 2,608 units sold , while retail sales fell by 10.07% , with 3,858 units sold.

Despite this adverse context, the tractor-trailer segment grew by 7.52% , reaching 2,059 units , indicating that certain areas of the market still show dynamism.

Cristina Vázquez, coordinator of Economic Studies at the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) highlighted that, despite the drop in retail sales in January 2025 , the domestic market continues to show stability in certain segments.

“Although we see this reduction compared to the previous year, let us remember that throughout 2024 we had a historical high recorded in retail sales,” he explained, noting that the sector’s performance remains above pre-pandemic levels.

The heavy vehicle sector in Mexico faces a year of significant challenges. While it struggles to contain the import of used vehicles with strategies based on the T-MEC , it must also adapt to the demands of NOM-044 and to an international market with lower demand.

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El cargo Importation of used heavy vehicles breaks record in 2024; industry warns of risks apareció primero en T21.

In 2024, the heavy vehicle production industry established in Mexico completed the manufacture of 213,241 cargo and passenger units, the second most successful cycle , only surpassed by 2023, when record production figures were reached with 222,813 vehicles manufactured.

Although the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) does not issue future production figures, it is confident that the growth trend that has occurred over the last decade will continue . “As an association, we will promote certainty and ensure that there are no tariff barriers for foreign trade,” explains Virginia Olalde López-Gavito , director of Foreign Trade and Economic Studies at ANPACT.

In the preamble to the review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) , which will take place in 2026, Olalde López-Gavito details that the heavy vehicle production industry in Mexico is key to the treaty, because it is highly integrated with its partners, both in terms of supply of parts and final vehicles.

“When a vehicle is produced in Mexico, it may have to cross into the United States several times to obtain subassemblies from suppliers, such is the case of electric vehicles that are being manufactured in Mexico,” said the ANPACT representative.

In this sense, having a regional legal instrument is essential , because it lays the foundations for strengthening and continuing to develop supply chains that help achieve greater integration.

It is worth noting that, of the 159,466 units that were exported in 2024, 95.5% were destined for the United States , while Canada received 3.3%, according to official statistics.

In this context, it is important to highlight that last year the first increase in the value of regional content required in the USMCA for the heavy vehicle manufacturing industry took place, which rose from 60 to 64 percent. The next increase is planned for 2027 and will reach 70% of the regional content value.

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El cargo USMCA Review, Opportunity for the “Heavyweights” apareció primero en T21.