Mexico Heavy-Truck Exports Surge 159% as U.S. Takes 93% of Shipments

Mexico's heavy-duty vehicle exports increased 158.9% year over year in October to 13,518 units, while production climbed 129.6% to 16,375 vehicles. FreightWaves reported the results November 12 using data from Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The comparison is against a weak October 2025, but the size of the rebound shows renewed activity at a manufacturing base that supplies much of the North American truck market.

The recovery extends beyond one month. Manufacturers produced 133,496 heavy vehicles from January through October, up 17.8% from the same period last year. Exports reached 111,912 units, a 20.3% increase. The United States received 104,064 of those vehicles, representing 93% of Mexico's heavy-truck exports. October shipments to the U.S. alone rose 173.5% to 13,097 units.

Three manufacturers dominated output. Freightliner, International and Kenworth generated about 97% of October production and virtually all exports, according to the report. Mexico's domestic market remained less robust: retail sales for the first 10 months fell 15.4% to 28,479 vehicles even though October retail volume rose 5.1%. Industry representatives cited aging fleets, used-truck imports and economic uncertainty as obstacles to faster replacement demand.

For U.S. fleets, the export surge may improve equipment availability, but it does not guarantee shorter lead times or lower prices. Model mix, engines, axles, tariffs, financing and dealer inventory can still constrain a specific order. Carriers planning 2027 replacements should compare written build dates, warranty coverage and total financing cost rather than rely on national production totals. The data also underline how strongly U.S. demand influences Mexican factories and the cross-border freight network serving truck and component plants.