Background on ANPACT and its Relevance
ANPACT, or the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks, and Tractor-Trailers, plays a crucial role in Mexico’s heavy vehicle industry. Rogelio Arzate Tapia, the organization’s Executive President, recently emphasized the need to modernize Mexico’s vehicle fleet and curb the import of used, scrap heavy vehicles from the United States.
Current State of Mexico’s Vehicle Fleet
Arzate Tapia highlighted that the average age of Mexico’s heavy vehicle fleet is 19 years, which contributes to safety concerns, increased pollution emissions, and reduced productivity. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the XXI edition of Expo Transporte ANPACT, a significant event for the heavy vehicle and autotransportation industry in all of America.
Positive Developments
Arzate Tapia praised the recent update to the environmental agreement by Mexico’s Secretariats of Economy and Environment, which now sets a maximum age limit of 10 years for imported used heavy vehicles. He emphasized that this agreement is a clear example of collaboration between authorities, industry, and transporters.
Mexico’s Impact on the Global Market
The ANPACT President underscored that Mexico’s heavy vehicle production significantly contributes to regional development and creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs within the country. He stated, “We are an industry that invests, produces, and creates in Mexico for the world. Today, Mexico is a global leader in producing and exporting heavy vehicles; this leadership is not coincidental but the result of decades of investment and hard work between government and society.”
Challenges Facing the Sector
Alejandro Malagon Barragán, President of Concamin (National Confederation of Industrial Chambers), acknowledged the challenges faced by the sector, including increased tariffs from the United States and a recent decline in domestic sales. He emphasized that upcoming months will be crucial for reviewing the T-MEC agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to defending the automotive sector, which is synonymous with defending Mexico.
Strategic Importance of the Industry
Altagracia Gómez Sierra, head of the Regional Economic Development Council and Business Relocation, highlighted the strategic importance of this industry for Mexico over the next decade. She mentioned that ANPACT, representing heavy transportation in Mexico, comprises 12 plants across seven states with numerous suppliers, making it a significant reference for Mexico’s quality exports, innovation, and high-tech goods production.
Electromobility in Jalisco
Jalisco’s Governor, Pablo Lemus Navarro, discussed infrastructure and electromobility projects in the state during Expo Transporte ANPACT 2023. Volvo officially presented its Luminus model, a fully electric bus designed for urban public transportation with zero emissions, which will operate in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area.
Road Improvement Project
Lemus Navarro announced that the project to enhance Jalisco’s state road network required an investment of 24 billion pesos. Expo Transporte ANPACT 2025 will take place from November 12-14, featuring 600 exhibitors and an expected 60,000 visitors from 36 countries.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is ANPACT and why is it relevant? ANPACT is the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks, and Tractor-Trailers in Mexico. It plays a vital role in the country’s heavy vehicle industry, advocating for modernization and addressing challenges such as outdated fleets and increased tariffs.
- What is the current state of Mexico’s heavy vehicle fleet? The average age of Mexico’s heavy vehicle fleet is 19 years, leading to safety concerns, increased pollution emissions, and reduced productivity.
- What recent developments have been made to support the industry? Mexico’s Secretariats of Economy and Environment updated an environmental agreement, setting a maximum age limit of 10 years for imported used heavy vehicles.
- Why is the heavy vehicle industry significant for Mexico? The industry contributes to regional development, creates numerous jobs, and positions Mexico as a global leader in heavy vehicle production and exports.
- What challenges does the sector currently face? The industry faces increased tariffs from the United States and a recent decline in domestic sales.
- What projects are being developed in Jalisco related to transportation? Jalisco is working on infrastructure and electromobility projects, including Volvo’s introduction of the Luminus electric bus in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area.
