Kenworth is one of the most traditional companies in the freight transport industry, having begun its journey in 1959. Its development since the mid-20th century motivated several families to venture into the trucking business in various aspects, such as vehicle distribution .

One of them is the Martos family, when Alfredo Martos Martínez began distributing Kenworth vehicles in the center of the country in 1967, and which two years later would consolidate as Kenworth del Centro .

Colloquially it is said that there are those who are born among iron and diesel, that is the case of Carlos Alfredo Martos Padilla , third generation immersed in the distribution of Kenworth vehicles and now DAF .

Having the surname Martos, although it gave him the possibility of continuing the work of his grandfather, and of his father Alfredo Martos Gallegos, current president of Grupo BACE , controller of Kenworth del Centro and Kenworth del Bajío , was not a guarantee for his advancement in the company.

His growth within the company has been gradual, allowing him to become familiar with all areas and gain a better understanding of the business. Since the age of 20, he has held various positions, including one focused on selling specialized fleet services, which he combined with his academic training as an Electromechanical Engineer.

Carlos is aware that the transport business lies in the support and after-sales service it provides to customers, and that is why his career has been focused on those areas, where he gradually advanced in various fields, but always close to the transporters.

Spending time with Carlos at meetings with transport companies makes it clear that he is constantly growing in his market and strengthening his business relationships with his clients, where his knowledge of all service verticals allows him to make well-founded contributions.

Since 2022, he has been part of the Board of Directors of Grupo BACE, and as part of the family, he must maintain a strategic vision for the solid growth of the company and its consolidation in the region.

This comprehensive vision of the business led him to take over the general management of Kenworth DAF del Centro from October 2005 , and from that position he has strengthened the relationship with the carriers of the region, and has driven the changes in the division he heads to be aligned with the leadership objectives that they maintain in Grupo BACE.

This journey led to Carlos Martos being selected as a member of T21’s 2026 Young Leaders , a group that brings together professionals specializing in various sectors of transportation and logistics. Learn more about the other members of T21’s 21 Young Leaders by clicking here .

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Didier Ramírez Torres  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Carlos Martos writes his story with tradition and commitment apareció primero en T21.

When Kenworth DAF BACE began operations more than half a century ago , the landscape of trucking in Mexico was very different, the sector’s infrastructure was barely consolidated and transporters faced endless logistical and technological challenges.

Since then, the company has evolved in step with the industry , becoming a benchmark in the distribution of heavy vehicles and expanding its presence in Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, as Alberto Rodríguez, its general director, told T21.

Today, with an operational structure that includes 800 employees and a network of 20 branches focused on spare parts, specialized workshops and the marketing of semi-new units, among others, the company continues to invest in innovation and the personalization of its service, aware that the future of transportation demands adaptability and strategic vision .

In addition, it has a wide service infrastructure throughout the country , with 1,225 operational service bays nationwide. Looking to the future, the company aims to expand its capacity to at least 1,329 bays by 2025 .

The year 2024 represented a turning point for the transportation industry in Mexico. Rodríguez commented that demand reached historic figures with the sale of 40 thousand Class 8 units , “an unprecedented record.” However, this bonanza also brought with it significant challenges.

The shortage of suppliers created difficulties, highlighting the rearview mirror crisis in mid-2024, which impacted the entire supply chain .

One of the company’s most important strategic moves in 2024 was the introduction of the DAF brand in the Mexican market .

With 96 years of experience in Europe, this premium brand of Dutch origin arrived with the promise of offering a solution adapted to clients with specific loading and handling needs.

“The big challenge for us was not to cannibalize customers. We also had to prepare people, train technicians, have available inventories, investments in tools, parts, diagnostic technicians and sales, which is very different from Kenworth,” explained Rodríguez, referring to the launch of DAF.

Selling with purpose!

One of the values ​​that distinguishes Kenworth DAF BACE is its commitment to personalized service. The company does not seek to “sell for the sake of selling”, but rather to offer solutions adapted to the real needs of the client.

“I like the customer to buy. It’s very different when they buy from you than when you sell to them, and they buy what they really need,” said Rodríguez.

Despite the challenges facing the sector, the company continues to invest and innovate and maintains its focus on personalizing service and training technicians , ensuring that customers receive efficient and reliable solutions.

With a long-term growth strategy, the company is preparing to face the challenges of the future with the same determination as 55 years ago.

“We, as a group, have decided to move forward with our investment projects for this year and the next three years,” said Rodriguez.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo Kenworth DAF BACE and its evolution in the face of transport challenges in Mexico apareció primero en T21.