Large-scale transportation is the backbone of Mexico's economic development. Beyond moving goods, these networks build the invisible infrastructure that connects production with consumption, industry with markets, and entrepreneurial ambition with sustained growth. In a country where ground transportation moves 82% of manufacturing exports to the United States, understanding this network makes the difference between surviving and dominating.
Mexican manufacturing: an engine that requires robust infrastructure
The manufacturing industry transforms raw materials into finished products that feed domestic and international markets. This sector does not operate in isolation: it depends heavily on efficient logistics chains, where freight transport accounts for up to 40% of total logistics costs, according to the Ministry of Economy.
During the first quarter of 2025, Mexican manufacturing exports reached USD 134.004 billion, an increase of 5.5% compared to 2024. Land transport moved more than 1.2 million trucks through strategic border crossings such as Laredo, Nogales, and El Paso. These figures represent jobs, investment, and national competitiveness.
Trucks connect production centers with customs offices, warehouses, and customers in the United States, Mexico's main trading partner. This network mainly transports automotive parts and finished vehicles, industrial machinery, appliances and electronics, processed metals and industrial plastics, as well as textiles and footwear. Each category requires specialized capabilities: from refrigerated cargo to temperature-controlled transport for sensitive products.
Key states: strategic geography of national transport
Mexico's 2025 logistics map reveals regional disparities that determine where to invest in transportation capacity. While the national economy is projected to grow by just 0.24% according to Deloitte, certain states are accelerating dramatically.
Leaders in manufacturing exports:
Nuevo León leads with specialization in steel, machinery, and automotive products. Coahuila stands out as a major producer of auto parts and metals. Guanajuato is consolidating its position as an automotive and plastics powerhouse. Chihuahua dominates electronics and aerospace, while Jalisco specializes in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
Emerging corridors:
Guerrero registers 6.8% growth driven by the recovery of tourism, generating greater demand for road and maritime transport. Oaxaca advances 5.6% thanks to the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, connecting the Pacific with the Gulf of Mexico as a new strategic logistics hub. Nayarit grows 4.7%, strengthening its role in agricultural exports and driving the need for refrigerated transport and collection centers.
The freight and logistics market in Mexico will reach USD 124.4 billion in 2025, with projected annual growth of 5.45% until 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence. The freight forwarding segment will reach USD 6.77 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.71%. These figures confirm that Mexico continues to be a strategic hub for regional and global trade.
Technological transformation: digitization redefining transportation operations
The logistics industry in Mexico accounts for approximately 8.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). However, it faces critical challenges: insufficient infrastructure, congestion at ports and airports, and bureaucratic processes that delay operations.
The transition to smart, digitized transportation operations is not optional. Transportation management systems represent the tools with the greatest impact on operational efficiency for the next five years. However, 74% of logistics companies have not yet effectively integrated their systems, limiting their ability to take advantage of emerging technologies.
Technologies that transform freight transport:
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) optimize routes, consolidate shipments, and monitor fleets in real time. These platforms document reductions of 15-25% in total transportation costs by eliminating empty trips, optimizing consolidated loads, and automating carrier selection based on rates and historical performance.
Vehicle telematics enables satellite tracking of units, driving analysis, and predictive maintenance. Monitoring systems record fuel consumption, driving style, and mechanical condition, improving fleet safety and efficiency. This technology is particularly critical in cross-border operations where real-time visibility determines compliance with delivery windows.
Machine learning is revolutionizing demand forecasting and dynamic route planning. Algorithms analyze historical patterns, traffic conditions, and weather to adjust routes in real time, reducing transit times and fuel consumption.
Cloud-based management systems centralize information and enable real-time monitoring of fleets and customs documentation, facilitating quick and effective decision-making in multimodal operations that combine land, sea, and air transport.
Consolidated strategic infrastructure for large-scale transportation
Theories about logistics transformation come to life when they materialize in consolidated operations. The Mexican freight market has witnessed strategic moves that illustrate how the integration of capabilities can create more robust distribution networks, particularly in the face of demand derived from nearshoring.
A documented example of this dynamic is TRAXION's strategic acquisition of Solistica, which consolidated critical infrastructure for large-scale transportation in Mexico.
Consolidated transportation infrastructure:
This integration strengthened the national transport network with more than 10,900 units in its own fleet and a network of more than 1,300 specialized suppliers, serving more than 1,500 active customers. The combined capacity is critical in an environment where cross-border trade between Mexico and the United States is projected to reach $50 billion by 2029, according to market analysis.
Cross-border operations are the cornerstone of this consolidation. With more than 1.2 million square meters of integrated logistics infrastructure, the network facilitates the smooth movement of cargo between Mexican production centers and distribution points in the United States, taking advantage of the geographical proximity that positions Mexico as a manufacturing hub for North America.
Transport infrastructure proven for large-scale operations:
The consolidated transportation network handles more than 1.4 million tons annually through a fleet of more than 10,900 specialized units and a network of more than 1,300 certified suppliers. This operational capacity is critical for companies that require large-volume movements between Mexican production centers and distribution points in the United States.
Cross-border operations document operational efficiencies through strategic load consolidation, dynamic route optimization, and specialized customs coordination. The fleet includes units equipped for refrigerated cargo, temperature-sensitive products, and high-value goods, all with satellite GPS tracking and real-time monitoring.
Investment in transportation management technology (TMS) and vehicle telematics enables complete visibility of the supply chain, anticipation of disruptions, and data-driven decision-making. These capabilities make all the difference in operations that demand strict adherence to delivery windows and complete traceability from origin to final destination.
The asset-light strategy, which accounts for 45% of current consolidated revenues and is projected to exceed 50% by 2026, allows for rapid capacity scaling without compromising operational quality, a fundamental element given the volatility of demand characteristic of nearshoring.
Sustainability: operational commitment with measurable impact
Sustainability is the cornerstone of modern logistics operations. Companies are adopting green practices such as fleet electrification to reduce emissions and logistics centers designed to minimize energy consumption. Route optimization using artificial intelligence helps to reduce the carbon footprint.
The electrification of fleets is emerging as a dominant trend in logistics in Mexico. Companies are investing in electric vehicles, especially for last-mile operations in urban areas, with the aim of reducing their carbon footprint and optimizing long-term operating costs. Experts at Prologis indicate in their "Supply Chain Outlook Report 2025" that achieving green logistics will not be optional in the medium term, but rather a competitive requirement.
Visibility and risk management: total control of the chain
The ability to monitor shipment status in real time allows companies to anticipate disruptions and manage transportation-related risks, maintaining operational integrity and protecting assets. This visibility is critical in an environment where trade between Mexico and the United States is shaping up to be the fastest-growing logistics market, with an expected value of $38 billion in 2025 and $50 billion in 2029.
The benefits of automation and digitization are tangible: increased productivity where systems can operate continuously, significantly increasing production and reducing processing times; reduced errors that minimize human error in repetitive tasks; improved safety by delegating dangerous or physically demanding tasks to technology, reducing risks for workers.
Omnichannel logistics: customer experience as a differentiator
The demand for integrated shopping experiences has led companies to adopt omnichannel strategies. This involves coordinating inventories in real time and optimizing distribution networks to meet consumer expectations by offering fast and flexible deliveries.
Consolidation of the sector through mergers and acquisitions is anticipated to be a key trend in 2025. Strategic acquisitions seek to improve technological capabilities, expand geographic reach, and build more resilient supply chains.
Human capital: technology that empowers talent
Despite technological advances, human capital remains essential. Continuous training and adaptation to change are indispensable for making the most of new technologies and maintaining competitiveness in the market.
Mexican companies will face a more competitive environment, driven by globalization, e-commerce, and rising consumer expectations. To remain relevant, it will be essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that combines advanced technology, sustainable practices, and a strong emphasis on cross-sector collaboration.
Strategic infrastructure for the future
Large-scale transportation in Mexico constitutes the strategic infrastructure that enables economic growth, facilitates international trade, and boosts national competitiveness in global markets.
Companies that manage to anticipate regional demand, diversify their geographic presence, and take advantage of nearshoring and emerging infrastructure projects will be better prepared to remain competitive. The future depends on understanding regional dynamics, investing in emerging infrastructure, and mitigating risks in states dependent on declining sectors.
With more than 70 years of experience, over 24,600 employees, and managing more than 1.4 million tons annually, TRAXION continues to optimize its fleet, processes, and warehouses, expanding specialized services and consolidating its role as a key player in regional logistics. The company plans to continue strengthening its asset-light strategy, which already accounts for 45% of consolidated revenue, with projections to exceed 50% by 2026.
Mexico's potential to become a global logistics hub is immense. However, achieving this goal requires taking advantage of emerging opportunities in automation, digitization, and sustainability, while maintaining an unwavering focus on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Sources:
- Zaro Transportation. "Logistics and manufacturing in Mexico: key transportation in 2025." https://www.zarotransportation.com/logistica-manufactura-2025/
- Logistix News. "Mexico's logistics map for 2025: states that are growing and those that are declining." https://logistixnews.com/2025/09/01/mapa-logistico-mexico-2025/
- Salbo Logistics. "Key trends in logistics in Mexico for 2025." https://salbologistics.com/tendencias-clave-en-la-logistica-en-mexico-para-2025/
- Mexico Industry. "The momentum of the logistics industry in Mexico and key trends in 2025." https://mexicoindustry.com/noticia/el-impulso-de-la-industria-logistica-en-mexico-y-las-tendencias-clave-en-2025
- The CEO. "Traxión and the addition of Solistica strengthen the freight logistics platform." https://elceo.com/negocios/traxion-y-la-suma-de-solistica-refuerzan-plataforma-logistica/
- OEM. "The acquisition of Solistica boosts TRAXION with a 14.5% increase in revenue." https://oem.com.mx/la-prensa/mexico/traxion-consolida-liderazgo-logistico-con-integracion-de-solistica-26536256
