FreightWaves' weekly Borderlands Mexico rundown reports that Mexico's heavy-duty truck industry posted sharp gains in production, exports and wholesale sales in July, even as the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) warned that tariffs threaten truck trade. According to data released by Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and ANPACT, manufacturers produced 14,675 heavy-duty vehicles during the month, a 51.8% increase compared with 9,668 units in the same month a year ago. Exports climbed 66.7% year over year to 13,117 units, and wholesale sales rose 19.1% to 2,590 units. Retail sales fell 9.9% year over year to 3,043 units.
July production and exports surge
FreightWaves reported that the July results extended gains in wholesale sales for both freight and passenger vehicle segments. Wholesale freight truck sales totaled 2,141 units, up 18.1%, while passenger vehicle sales increased 24% to 449 units.
| Metric | July 2026 | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 14,675 units | +51.8% |
| Exports | 13,117 units | +66.7% |
| Wholesale sales | 2,590 units | +19.1% |
| Retail sales | 3,043 units | -9.9% |
Data source: INEGI and ANPACT, as compiled by FreightWaves.
Year-to-date totals remain below 2025 levels
Despite July's strong showing, year-to-date results remain below 2025 levels in several categories, according to FreightWaves. Production totaled 85,551 units during the first seven months of 2026, down 6.1% from the same period a year earlier. Exports also declined 6.1% year over year to 71,377 units, while retail sales fell 20.1% to 19,115 units. Wholesale sales were the only year-to-date growth category, rising 5.1% to 17,566 units.
The U.S. remained by far the largest export market for Mexican-built heavy-duty vehicles. Of the 71,377 trucks and buses exported through July, 65,983 units, or 92.4%, were shipped to the U.S. Canada accounted for 4.6% of exports, followed by Colombia at 1.9%.
ANPACT members and production leaders
ANPACT's 16 members in Mexico are:
- Freightliner
- Kenworth
- Navistar
- Hino
- International
- DINA
- MAN SE
- Mercedes-Benz
- Isuzu
- Scania
- Shacman Trucks
- Foton
- Cummins
- Detroit Diesel
- Daimler Buses Mexico
- Volkswagen Buses
Freightliner remained Mexico's largest heavy-duty vehicle producer during the first seven months of 2026 with 53,364 units assembled, followed by International with 22,414 units and Kenworth with 6,218 units. Freightliner also led exports with 51,089 units, ahead of International at 18,675 units.
ANPACT warns on Section 232 tariffs and used imports
ANPACT officials said maintaining certainty around the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement remains critical for the industry's long-term growth. The association urged policymakers to preserve the trade pact's core principles and argued that clear rules and investment certainty support manufacturing, supply chain integration and regional competitiveness. The group also renewed its call for changes to Section 232 tariffs, saying the duties are harmful to economic activity on both sides of the border.
ANPACT further expressed concern about rising imports of used heavy-duty vehicles from the U.S.
ANPACT reported that for every 100 new heavy-duty vehicles sold in Mexico, roughly 53 used imported vehicles are also sold, creating competitive pressures for domestic manufacturers.
Stonepeak rail-served acquisition and Green Tide corridor
FreightWaves' Borderlands Mexico column also reported that private equity firm Stonepeak acquired an 860,100-square-foot rail-served logistics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, expanding its footprint in one of North America's busiest freight hubs, according to a news release. The property is located in the Alliance submarket of Dallas-Fort Worth, anchored by two Class I railroads, the BNSF Alliance intermodal terminal and Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The site has direct access to Interstate 35, a key freight route connecting Mexico, the United States and Canada. Phill Solomond is Stonepeak's senior managing director.
The same weekly rundown noted that Green Tide Logistics launched a Mexico-US maritime corridor. These developments, combined with the July production and export figures, provide the operating context for importers, exporters and customs brokers tracking cross-border trucking and trade between Mexico and the United States.
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