Background and Relevance
The heavy truck manufacturing industry in Mexico is currently experiencing a dire situation, with production, exports, and sales plummeting by 50% in January. This downturn has led to a 20% loss of jobs within the industry, as confirmed by the Mexican Association of Automobile Dealers (AMDA) and the National Association of Producers of Buses, Trucks, and Semi-trailers (ANPACT).
Impact of Tariffs and Used Truck Imports
The imposition of a 25% tariff by the United States on Mexico, along with the massive importation of used trucks from the U.S., has caused a 52% contraction in production during the first month of 2026. Only 6,793 units were manufactured, according to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), marking the lowest production figures in at least the past 16 years.
Decline in Exports and Sales
- Exports of heavy trucks fell by 53.8%, with 5,076 units shipped.
- Sales at wholesale dropped by 36%, with 1,676 units sold compared to 2,600 in 2025.
- Retail sales declined by 46.32%, with 2,073 units sold.
Job Losses and Proposed Solutions
Alejandro Osorio, Public Affairs Director of ANPACT, stated that approximately 6,000 jobs were lost in Mexico’s heavy truck manufacturing sector, representing 20% of the industry’s workforce for the entirety of 2025 and January 2026.
Calls for Stricter Import Controls
Guillermo Rosales, President of AMDA, emphasized the dire situation during a press conference, stating that one way to mitigate this decline is by implementing stricter controls on the importation of heavy-duty vehicles from the U.S.
The proposed solution is to raise the existing 10% tariff on imported used trucks from the U.S. to 50%. Currently, heavy-duty truck imports are subject to a 10% tariff for vehicles between 8 and 10 years old. Industry leaders argue that these measures need to be reconsidered, as existing government actions have proven insufficient.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of Mexico’s heavy truck industry? The industry is facing a severe downturn, with production, exports, and sales dropping by 50% in January.
- What factors contributed to this decline? The imposition of a 25% tariff by the U.S. on Mexico and the massive importation of used trucks from the U.S. have significantly impacted the industry.
- How many jobs were lost in the heavy truck manufacturing sector? Approximately 6,000 jobs were lost, representing 20% of the industry’s workforce.
- What solutions are being proposed to address this situation? Industry leaders suggest raising the tariff on imported used trucks from 10% to 50% and implementing stricter controls on U.S. truck imports.
