The heavy vehicle industry in Mexico began to show signs of recovery in April 2016, after more than a year marked by declining sales and market volatility. Production and exports registered double-digit increases, while the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) reiterated its concern about the influx of used vehicles from the United States.

Alejandro Osorio, director of Public Affairs and Communication at ANPACT, noted that April brought “signs of recovery” for the industry, after several months of negative results.

In terms of production , Mexico manufactured 12,306 heavy vehicles during April, of which 12,056 were cargo vehicles and 250 were passenger vehicles. This represented an 8.7% increase compared to the same month in 2015.

According to Osorio, the positive behavior of this indicator is relevant because of the weight that the industry has in the country’s economic and manufacturing development .

“We have a fairly significant production base in the country, one of the most important in the world,” he commented.

He also highlighted that the manufacture of heavy vehicles generates employment and activity for supply chains made up of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

In terms of exports , 10,042 cargo units were sent abroad during April, an increase of 12% compared to the same month last year.

The United States remained the main export destination for Mexican heavy vehicles, accounting for 31,035 units between January and April, although with a decrease of 23.9% compared to the same period in 2025.

Canada came in second place with 1,610 units exported and a growth of 11.8%, while Colombia registered one of the largest increases, with a rise of 145.7% in the year to date.

Between January and April 2026, cumulative heavy vehicle production in Mexico reached 41,071 units, a 22% drop compared to the same period last year. Exports totaled 33,592 units, 21.5% less than in 2025, reflecting that, although April showed signs of recovery, the industry is still operating below the levels of the previous year.

Osorio noted that the heavy vehicle industry in Mexico maintains a strong export orientation and reiterated the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to preserve regional competitiveness.

“It is very important that this framework of certainty, this commercial framework, is maintained in order to continue to keep Mexico as one of the leaders in the export and production of heavy vehicles,” he stated.

However, one of the issues that continues to put pressure on the domestic market is the importation of used heavy vehicles from the United States . Although these transactions decreased by 32.3% between January and March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, the executive warned that the volume remains high.

According to figures presented by ANPACT, for every 100 new vehicles sold in Mexico, an additional 58.1 used units are imported from the United States .

In the first quarter of the year, 4,231 used heavy vehicles entered the country, a figure lower than the 8,210 units registered in 2024 and the 6,249 in 2025, but which continues to impact the national market.

Osorio stated that these units affect both the secondary market and the marketing of new vehicles, in addition to representing environmental and road safety risks.

“Many of them have already passed their useful life; they are vehicles that are no longer in circulation in the United States and are now entering the country,” he said.

In response, ANPACT indicated that it is maintaining working groups with the Ministry of Finance , the Ministry of Economy and other federal agencies to contain the entry of this type of unit.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Karina Quintero  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Heavy goods production and exports show signs of recovery; ANPACT warns about used goods imports apareció primero en T21.

The heavy vehicle industry in Mexico reported a start to 2026 with declines in key indicators such as production and exports, according to the balance presented on Tuesday by the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) with figures up to February.

During the sector’s monthly conference, Alejandro Osorio, director of Public Affairs and Communication of the association, detailed that in February 6,974 heavy vehicles were produced , of which 6,739 corresponded to the cargo segment and 235 to the passenger segment .

This level of production represented a decrease of 49.1% compared to the same month in 2025 , reflecting a start to the year below the levels observed in recent years.

Regarding the technology used in manufacturing, the industry maintains a strong predominance of diesel-powered units.

Of the total produced in February, 6,972 vehicles used this technology , while one electric unit and one natural gas vehicle unit were manufactured , which shows the current reality of the market in terms of energy demand.

The industry’s performance was also reflected in foreign trade. During February, Mexico exported 7,849 heavy vehicles , representing a 32% drop compared to February 2015 .

However, the monthly report showed a recovery compared to the previous month, since in January five thousand 076 units were exported , so the result for February represented a rebound in the pace of shipments abroad.

The United States remained the top export destination for the Mexican heavy vehicle industry, with 7,015 units shipped in February , followed by Canada with 498 units .

Colombia ranked third , consolidating its position as one of the relevant markets for this type of product.

In terms of exported technology, the structure is also dominated by diesel units. In February, 7,847 exported vehicles used this fuel, while one electric unit and one natural gas vehicle were shipped.

Imports of used trucks put pressure on the market

In addition to the industry’s performance, ANPACT warned about a factor that is impacting the domestic market: the importation of used heavy vehicles from the United States .

Osorio explained that this phenomenon creates distortions in the secondary market and affects both the industry and the supply chain.

“For every 100 new vehicles sold in the country, an additional 64 used vehicles are entering the market,” he noted.

The executive added that many of these units have high mileage or do not meet adequate physical and mechanical conditions , which, in addition to affecting the market, can also have implications for road safety and the environment.

Given this scenario, ANPACT called on federal authorities (including the Ministry of Finance , the National Customs Agency of Mexico , the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources ) to review the entry of used heavy vehicles and strengthen control mechanisms.

According to the association, addressing this phenomenon is key not only for the performance of the industry, but also to avoid impacts on employment, the renewal of the vehicle fleet and the safety conditions on the country’s roads.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Karina Quintero  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Heavy goods production and exports slow down in February apareció primero en T21.

In the first quarter of 2025 (1Q25), the figures for the heavy vehicle industry do not leave a positive balance in any lane.

Heavy vehicle production reached 41,311 units in 1Q25, a decrease of 52,809 vehicles compared to the same period in 2024, a drop of 21.8% , reported Rogelio Arzate, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT).

Meanwhile, Arzate reported that exports reached 33,808 vehicles , a 19.7% decrease compared to the previous year, when 42,081 units were shipped abroad.

According to what was presented during the monthly earnings call, Rogelio Arzate reported that production is impacted by the change in emissions standards (NOM-044) and the slowdown in the domestic market due to economic uncertainty; in addition to the impact on exports from the main export market, the United States, which saw a decrease of 31,355 vehicles in the first quarter of 2025, a 19.8% drop compared to the comparison period.

Regarding sales, wholesale sales decreased 39.3% in the first quarter of 2025, with a displacement of 7,930 vehicles. Meanwhile, retail sales stood at 11,188 heavy trucks, a 16.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

Faced with this situation, Rogelio Arzate and his counterpart, Guillermo Rosales, executive president of the Mexican Association of Automobile Dealers (AMDA), stated that it is time to boost the domestic market so that the production plant does not suffer a major negative impact.

“Of the total number of heavy vehicles sold in the country, only 10.3% are imported, so considering incentives for vehicles made in Mexico, such as an accelerated income tax deduction, could boost the market. That’s why we must create a public policy that complements these objectives,” Rosales emphasized.

Meanwhile, Rogelio Arzate emphasized that the Ministry of Economy and the federal government are working closely together to promote fleet renewal through a fund that will reactivate the scrappage scheme.

Based on the most recent data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) , the average age of the trucking fleet (cargo and passenger) is 19.3 years, “this means that the average fleet has Euro 3 emissions technology, although by regulation we are already at Euro 6 / EPA 10 which reduces emissions by up to 90%,” Arzate explained, justifying the importance of promoting renewal.

One point highlighted by ANPACT’s CEO is the decrease in the import of used heavy vehicles from the United States. According to the figures shared, 4,197 units were imported in Q1 2025, a 22.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. However, this volume represents 37.7% of retail sales achieved in the first half of the year.

Both Rogelio Arzate and Guillermo Rosales emphasized that Plan Mexico, which seeks to boost national production and strengthen the domestic market by promoting the “Made in Mexico” brand, is a potential industry recovery opportunity.

In AMDA’s marketing outlook for 2025, it was placed in a second scenario with a volume of 52,919 units, which would be a 6.7% drop compared to 2024. However, this scenario was developed based on a 1.5% growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, with the adjustment in the Bank of Mexico’s (Banxico) Expectations of a growth of just 0.5%, AMDA will make a new calculation to place its outlook for this cycle.

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

El cargo Given the economic situation, it is time to boost the domestic market: ANPACT – AMDA apareció primero en T21.