According to officials, Mexico’s truck production and exports increased significantly in February, aided by continued demand from the United States and nearshoring-related relocations.
Year-over-Year Growth in Truck Manufacturing and Exports
ANPACT’s ten Mexican truck manufacturers produced 16,912 units in February, representing an 18% year-over-year (y/y) increase over 2022. Truck exports increased 13% year on year to 13,231 vehicles.
The latest figures, according to Miguel Elizalde, president of Mexico’s National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor Producers (ANPACT), show that supply chains are recovering but still lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
“The supply chain remains synchronized, allowing us to send a greater number of vehicles to distributors, which should gradually reduce delivery times,” Elizalde said during a recent video news conference. “We still have delivery times of more than six months, so I would say that until we have delivery times like we had before the pandemic of one, two, or three months, we cannot say that the production issue has been resolved.”
Truck production and exports, according to Elizalde, are also benefiting from manufacturers nearshoring their operations in Mexico.
“We have observed concrete and positive facts indicating that the automotive industry’s investment in nearshoring is a real trend,” Elizalde said. “To capitalize on this momentum, we must focus more than ever on the renewal of both cargo and passenger units.”
Leading Truck Manufacturers in Mexico
Freightliner, Kenworth, Navistar, Hino, International, DINA, MAN SE, Mercedes-Benz, Isuzu, Scania, Cummins, and Detroit Diesel are among the truck manufacturers with assembly plants and factories in Mexico.
In February, the United States was the most important destination for Mexican trucks, accounting for 96% of exports, followed by Canada at 2.4%.
During February, Freightliner was Mexico’s leading truck manufacturer and exporter. The company produced 8,869 trucks, a 0.4% decrease year on year, and exported 7,674 units, a 5% decrease year on year.
International Trucks Inc. produced 5,693 units in February, a 48% year on year increase, and exported 5,108 units, a 63% year on year increase.
Kenworth produced 1,414 trucks, a 27% year on year increase, and exported 448 trucks, a 14% year on year decrease from 2022.
