The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) announced the guidelines for the program to replace and modernize heavy vehicles, tractor-trailers, trucks and buses that provide federal passenger and freight transportation services, which will come into effect on May 29.

According to what was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , the strategy seeks to facilitate the renewal of old units through financing schemes backed by  Nacional Financiera (Nafin) , aimed mainly at micro and small transporters who currently have a vehicle fleet of no more than 30 units .

The objective is “to replace new or semi-new units, in order to improve the age of the fleet, the condition of the vehicle fleet and road safety,” it was stated in the DOF.

The document specifies that individuals with business activity and legal entities whose main activity is federal passenger and freight transport may participate, classified as micro-transporters (from one to five units), and small transporters (from six to 30 units).

The program operates under a Pari Passu Guarantee (shared risk) scheme in terms of the Nafin Guarantee Program, where credit risk will be shared between the federal government and participating financial institutions.

Terms and payments

The social action includes financing of up to 15 million pesos (mdp) or its equivalent in US dollars, and the option to acquire new units will be for up to 84 months with a minimum down payment of 10 percent .

For pre-owned units, the maximum term will be up to 60 months with a minimum down payment of 15 percent .

“The prices of the units and specific financing conditions will vary, depending on the brand, type of unit, model, and financial intermediaries participating in the Nafin Guarantee Program,” the DOF stated.

Participation requirements

To access the program, applicants must meet various conditions established by the SICT:

-Be a permit holder for federal motor transport service with a vehicle fleet of up to 30 units.

-The permit granted by the SICT must have a minimum age of three years in the federal motor transport service.

To fulfill the program’s objectives, once the financing is approved, the participating permit holder must go to the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport and/or SICT center to present the requirements for the registration of each unit participating in the program.

In the case of used units, they must present the requirements established by the financial intermediaries participating in the program, who will verify that the units comply with the physical-mechanical conditions issued by an inspection unit authorized by the SICT, the vehicle must be reviewed by the trained, empowered and designated public servant.

Program validity

The Official Gazette of the Federation establishes that the validity of the program will be indefinite , provided that there is budgetary availability provided by the SICT in terms of the Nafin Guarantee Program.

The SICT reported that the calls for proposals and access rules will be published through official SICT and Nafin channels to guarantee transparency in the allocation of support.

The agency indicated that to clarify doubts related to the program, those interested will be assisted through the following means of the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport: financ.dgaf@sict.gob.mx or the telephone number 55 5723 9300, extensions 20001 and 20270.

The program is based on the National Development Plan , which establishes as a public policy axis the need to have quality transport infrastructure and services that contribute to taking advantage of the country’s comparative advantages.

Meanwhile, the Sectoral Program for Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation 2025-2030 establishes as fundamental objectives increasing the competitiveness of federal motor transport services, promoting investment in services and innovative financing schemes to modernize the vehicle fleet and strengthen the motor transport industry.

According to the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) , the fleet of heavy vehicles in the cargo segment in Mexico has an average age of 19 years, which affects, among other factors, the risk of accidents and high emissions of pollutants, reinforcing the need to accelerate its renewal.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo These are the guidelines for modernizing trucking fleets apareció primero en T21.

During the Latin American Automotive Congress (CLAM) 2026, held in Quito, Ecuador, the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA) , the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) and the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks and Tractor-Trailers (ANPACT) signed the so-called Quito Declaration, promoted by the Latin American Association of Automotive Distributors (ALADDA) .

The agreement seeks to consolidate a regional agenda focused on generating sectoral information, exchanging best practices, and promoting public policies related to trade, formalizing the sector, and sustainable mobility in Latin America.

Among the points included in the declaration, the organizations recognized that trade integration between Latin American countries will be a key factor for the competitiveness of the automotive industry in the face of changes in global trade .

In that regard, they proposed moving towards reducing tariffs and eliminating trade barriers that limit formal exchange between nations .

The document also warns about the effects of practices considered unfair within the automotive market , such as the entry of used vehicles and the importation of new units without official brand representation , noting that they can affect road safety, environmental commitments and the competitiveness of the formal industry.

Likewise, the Quito Declaration proposes that the tax regimes applicable to vehicles in the region be “reasonable, coherent and predictable”, aligned with objectives of economic growth, formalization and renewal of the vehicle fleet.

The document argues that an excessive tax burden limits the population’s access to vehicles with more advanced technologies and lower polluting emissions.

Another point agreed upon was to support public policies aimed at renewing the vehicle fleet through tax and financial incentives for the purchase of new vehicles with higher safety standards and lower emissions. In addition, the promotion of formal end-of-life vehicle disposal programs was proposed.

The declaration also promotes formal, low-emission public transport systems, integrated with individual and urban mobility schemes.

The document was signed by Guillermo Rosales, executive president of AMDA; Odracir Barquera, general director of AMIA; and Alejandro Osorio, director of Public Affairs and Communication of ANPACT.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @GrupoT21

El cargo AMDA, AMIA and ANPACT agree on automotive agenda in Latin America; they are committed to fleet modernization apareció primero en T21.

Reaching 53 years in an industry as challenging as freight transportation is no small feat. For Transportes Pitic , this anniversary, celebrated on February 1st, represents much more than a number: it is the confirmation of a history built on perseverance, adaptation, and a clear philosophy of customer service that has remained unchanged since its inception.

The company was founded more than five decades ago, like any entrepreneurial venture: with enthusiasm, hard work, and a clear vision from its founder. From the beginning, the goal was to offer excellent service that would connect producers, manufacturers, and distributors with the people who need those products in their daily lives. That legacy not only endures but has grown stronger over time, Gilberto Palomares, CEO of Transportes Pitic, told T21.

From operating with just nine trucks, the company evolved to consolidate a fleet of more than a thousand units , a network of 32 branches and a workforce of nearly 1,200 employees, figures that reflect growth, but also the ability to sustain it over time, even in complex contexts such as the one that 2025 represented for the freight transport sector, explained Palomares.

The past year was marked by economic volatility, adjustments in the global environment, and decisions that demanded constant attention. Palomares explained that 2025 was “a complex, difficult year,” influenced by external factors that directly impacted the company’s operations.

However, he clarified that it was not the first time the company had faced an adverse environment and that the focus was on the essentials: “We focused on our own work, on serving our customers in the best possible way and exceeding their expectations,” he emphasized.

That vision allowed the period to end with sound finances, sustained growth, and greater consolidation in strategic segments , particularly in the Pacific region.

Transportes Pitic has focused on something it considers essential: its people . Palomares emphasized that fostering a positive work environment, promoting skills development, and strengthening the team’s capabilities were key to overcoming the challenges of the business world.

“Our people are our strength,” he reiterated. He said that putting staff first allowed them to resolve situations that, at first, seemed like insurmountable obstacles.

Defining Transportes Pitic in a single word isn’t easy, but one idea runs through its entire history: being a customer-centric company . Palomares described the company as an organization “open to the customer, in tune with them, and transparent,” a philosophy that implies honesty, responsibility, initiative, and a service-oriented attitude.

This way of operating has generated certainty over time, to the point that customers know that “they are leaving their cargo in expert hands,” even when conditions are not ideal.

Fifty-three years after its founding, the company celebrates not only its past achievements but also its ongoing development. Palomares emphasized that the anniversary is also a time to recognize those who have been, are, and will be part of the company, with a long-term vision focused on laying a solid foundation for the future.

With pride, he emphasized that Transportes Pitic remains committed to connecting supply chains and contributing, through road transport, to “this country moving forward.”

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

El cargo Transportes Pitic, 53 years building trust on the road apareció primero en T21.

Within this context, the most notable finding is not the overall expansion, but rather the greater dynamism of medium-sized companies . According to the DGAF, this segment (comprising fleets of 31 to 100 vehicles ) grew by 8.4% annually in both the number of companies and the size of its vehicle fleet , a rate higher than the sector average. Although its relative weight remains limited, its pace of expansion points to scaling processes from smaller structures to operating models with greater capacity.

During the reference period, medium-sized companies accounted for 5,170 permit holders , equivalent to 2.3% of the total , but controlled 263,167 vehicles , or 17.6% of the vehicle fleet . This proportion reflects organizations with a more solid foundation for sustaining continuous operations and adapting to a complex economic environment, without yet reaching the concentration levels of the large operators.

Below them are the small companies , with fleets of six to 30 units , representing 16.9% of permit holders and accounting for 29.3% of the vehicle fleet , with 436,689 units . This group maintained a relevant operational role within the sector and functions as an intermediate point between fragmentation and concentration, although with narrower margins in the face of financial and regulatory pressures.

At the upper end, large companies , with more than 100 units , remain few in number ( 0.7% of permit holders , equivalent to 1,510 companies ), but they control 460,749 units , representing 30.9% of the freight vehicle fleet . Their strength lies in the concentration of assets , rather than the number of players, a characteristic that allows them to more easily absorb market fluctuations.

This realignment occurs on a foundation that remains virtually unchanged. Micro-enterprises , with fleets of one to five vehicles , continue to be the backbone of federal freight transportation: they account for 80.1% of companies , but only 22.2% of the vehicle fleet , a gap that limits their room for maneuver in a volatile environment and reinforces the importance of growth processes toward higher strata.

Thus, rather than an abrupt change, the DGAF data reveals a gradual movement within the business structure of freight transport , where medium-sized companies are beginning to gain ground as an expanding segment, in the midst of a sector that remains highly fragmented and with a strong concentration of assets in a few operators.

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

El cargo Despite a volatile economic environment, medium-sized freight transport companies are growing at a faster pace apareció primero en T21.

Like cancer in the human body, the importation of used tractor-trailer trucks is expanding in Mexican transportation. It’s an activity where, according to sources consulted, organized crime is present, and its growth is devastating the heavy vehicle manufacturing industry, its value chain, and the transporters themselves, who are seeing the resale value of their vehicles depreciate. 

2024 marked a record year for imports, with 29,790 used units entering the country. Between 2018 and 2022, the annual average was less than 10,000, and in 2023, it was 20,000. 

For the January–July 2025 cycle, the ratio of imported units to new vehicle sales reached its highest level. “For every 100 new vehicles sold in Mexico, 60 used imported vehicles enter the market,” explains Rogelio Arzate, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) .   

According to the agency’s data, 23,926 new units were sold in Mexico in the first seven months of 2025, compared to 14,464 imported used units.  

Old trucks, new environmental risks 

The flood of used vehicles is contributing to the obsolescence of the vehicle fleet, which is now at 19 years old, according to Rogelio Arzate.   

Public policy has exacerbated the problem of fleet aging. “The government is making a serious mistake by allowing these units into the country instead of providing tax incentives for truck drivers, who move more than 60% of the freight,” says Héctor Romero, president of Círculo Logístico. 

Furthermore, the tractor-trailers arriving from the United States are equipped with outdated technologies: engines with emissions comparable to Euro 3, compared to the Euro 6 engines currently produced in Mexico, which offer 90% fewer polluting emissions.   

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

El cargo The cancer of auto transport and the Mexican economy apareció primero en T21.

autotransporte federal cruzó la meta al cierre de marzo de 2025 logrando un crecimiento en su parque vehicular, como una “victoria” que refleja su fortaleza frente a los desafíos del año anterior, según los últimos datos de la Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT).

Las unidades motrices, que representan los vehículos principales en el transporte de carga, alcanzaron las 732 mil 842 unidades en marzo de 2025, con un 7.5% de aumento respecto a 2024. Este crecimiento es liderado por los tractocamiones (especialmente en los de tres ejes), vehículos esenciales para el transporte de carga pesada a larga distancia, con un 7.7% de incremento.

En cuanto a las unidades de arrastre, que incluyen semirremolques, remolques y grúas industriales, la tendencia de crecimiento también es destacada, alcanzando un aumento del 7.4 por ciento. Las grúas industriales, en particular, muestran un 19.3% de crecimiento, lo que subraya la creciente demanda de equipos especializados para el manejo de cargas pesadas y proyectos de infraestructura.

El crecimiento significativo en las grúas industriales reflejó también un impulso en los proyectos de infraestructura y un mayor uso de equipos especializados en sectores como la construcción y la energía, que requieren soluciones de transporte y carga más robustas.

Si se dividen los vehículos en carga general y especializada, ambos continúan con su tendencia de crecimiento. En 2025, los primeros experimentaron un incremento del 7.3%, alcanzando un total de un millón 247 mil 955 unidades, mientras que los vehículos de carga especializada crecieron un 8.6%, sumando 207 mil 022 unidades.

El parque vehicular del autotransporte federal de carga muestra un crecimiento continuo desde el 2024, con incrementos constantes mes a mes. En 2025, la tendencia se repite desde enero hasta marzo, las cifras reflejan una expansión sostenida, que responde a la demanda del transporte terrestre y a la inversión en la modernización de flotas.

El parque vehicular del autotransporte federal mantuvo también un crecimiento sostenido desde 2020, con un notable repunte en los últimos años. Tras un incremento inicial del 11.7% en 2020, el sector experimentó una desaceleración en 2021, producto de efectos pandemia, con un aumento del 4.2%, pero rápidamente retomó su impulso.

A pesar del crecimiento en el parque vehicular reportado para el primer trimestre de 2025, el panorama de las ventas al mayoreo y menudeo de vehículos pesados muestra una imagen más compleja. Según los datos de la Asociación Nacional de Productores de Autobuses, Camiones y Tractocamiones (ANPACT) y la Asociación Mexicana de Distribuidores de Automotores (AMDA), las ventas al mayoreo cayeron un 39.3% durante el primer trimestre de 2025, con siete mil 930 vehículos.

En cuanto a las ventas al menudeo, aunque se alcanzó una cifra de 11 mil 188 unidades en este periodo, esto representa una reducción de 16.2% respecto al mismo ciclo de 2024.

Este desempeño negativo en las ventas podría estar reflejando los efectos de una desaceleración en la inversión del sector, a pesar del crecimiento global en el parque vehicular.

Aun con la expansión en el número total de unidades, el mercado de vehículos pesados está enfrentando un contexto económico y comercial desafiante.

Edad promedio de la flota baja, ¿será suficiente?

Desde 2019, la edad promedio de los vehículos de carga muestra un aumento general. En marzo de 2019, la edad promedio total era de 17.15 años, y en marzo de 2025 alcanzó 19.18 años, lo que representa un aumento del 11.8% en todo el periodo.

Sin embargo, desde 2023, por fin se observa una leve disminución en la edad promedio. En marzo de 2023, la edad promedio era de 19.21 años, y en marzo de 2025 bajó a 19.18 años, lo que representa una reducción de apenas 0.03 años.

This slight decline could be interpreted as a response to the sector’s efforts to modernize fleets and improve operational efficiency . The question remains: is it enough? The pressure of new regulations and growing market demands are demanding more.

The reduction in the average age , while positive, seems minimal compared to the magnitude of the challenges facing the trucking industry, which makes it clear that there is still a long way to go to achieve true renewal and sustainability in the country’s fleets.

Although the average age has decreased slightly, the total number of vehicles has increased, demonstrating that the sector continues to invest in new units to meet the growing demand for transportation. However, this expansion must be accompanied by more effective fleet renewal, not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of technology and efficiency , to ensure the sector is truly prepared for the challenges of the future.

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

El cargo Federal transportation vehicle fleet accelerates growth in 2025 apareció primero en T21.