The Key Gear Driving the Economy
The manufacturing industry is the engine that transforms raw materials into consumer goods and industrial products. This sector cannot operate without efficient logistics. It relies heavily on freight transportation to move raw materials, components, machinery, and finished products, both domestically and to international markets.
In Mexico, tractor-trailers are the backbone of this operation, connecting manufacturing facilities with customs checkpoints, warehouses, and customers across the United States—Mexico's largest trading partner.
What Does Manufacturing Need to Keep Moving?
Manufacturing requires a strong supply chain that integrates:
- Efficient ground transportation (Door-to-Door).
- Reliable transit times.
- Dry van, refrigerated, and specialized freight capacity.
- Efficient customs coordination.
Without these elements, production processes can come to a standstill. According to Mexico's Ministry of Economy, logistics—particularly ground transportation—can account for up to 40% of total logistics costs for many manufacturing companies.
Key Products Transported
During the first quarter of 2025, ground transportation primarily moved:
- Automotive parts and finished vehicles
- Industrial machinery
- Home appliances and consumer electronics
- Processed metals and industrial plastics
- Textiles and footwear
Exports and the Current Landscape
According to data from INEGI and the U.S. Census Bureau:
- Mexican manufacturing exports reached USD $134.004 billion in Q1 2025, representing a 5.5% increase compared to 2024.
- Ground transportation was responsible for moving more than 82% of these exports to the United States, with over 1.2 million trucks crossing through major border ports such as Laredo, Nogales, and El Paso.
- States such as Nuevo León, Guanajuato, Chihuahua, and Baja California led the export of manufacturing inputs and finished goods.
Key States for Raw Material and Manufacturing Exports
- Nuevo León: specializes in steel, machinery, and automotive products.
- Coahuila: a major producer of automotive parts and metals.
- Guanajuato: a leading automotive and plastics manufacturing hub.
- Chihuahua: focused on electronics and aerospace manufacturing.
- Jalisco: a key hub for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
A Supply Chain in Constant Evolution
Ground logistics has been essential to sustaining the momentum of Mexico's manufacturing industry in 2025. With growing exports, investments in customs infrastructure, and an increasingly professionalized transportation sector, Mexico continues to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing powerhouse and a strategic logistics gateway to the United States.
At Zaro Transportation, we offer strategic routes and customized logistics solutions for the manufacturing industry. From Northern Mexico to major industrial hubs across the United States, we are your logistics partner for faster, more efficient cross-border trade.
Sources: INEGI (2025) / Secretaría de Economía / BTS / CBP / Trending Economies / VMR / Business Money
