Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments on the earth of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and commerce. This week in Borderlands Mexico: US takes 76% of car exports as September shipments plunge; DSV expands US-Mexico freight operations with McAllen workplace; and Texas college seeks $772,700 for AI-powered Laredo freight mission.
US takes 76% of car exports as September shipments plunge
Greater than three-quarters of Mexico’s light-vehicle exports have been destined for the U.S. throughout the first 9 months of 2026, underscoring the significance of cross-border automotive commerce whilst Mexican car manufacturing and exports declined sharply in September.
Mexico exported 1.93 million mild autos to the U.S. from January via September, representing 76.4% of the nation’s 2.53 million car exports, in keeping with figures launched Wednesday by Mexico’s Nationwide Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
The most recent figures additionally confirmed that Mexico exported 277,369 mild autos worldwide in September, an 11.9% decline from 314,656 models throughout the identical month final yr.
Car manufacturing fell 15.1% yr over yr to 301,803 models, in contrast with 355,589 in September 2025.
The declines contrasted with stronger home demand. Gross sales of recent mild autos in Mexico elevated 7.9% to 129,274 models, up from 119,766 a yr earlier.
The figures spotlight a widening hole between Mexico’s home automotive market and its export-oriented manufacturing sector, which relies upon closely on demand from the U.S.
The U.S. accounted for 1,931,750 mild autos exported from Mexico throughout the first 9 months of 2026, adopted by Canada with 314,185 autos, representing 12.4% of the overall.
Germany ranked third with 64,963 autos, or 2.6%, adopted by Brazil with 43,821 autos, or 1.7%.
Different worldwide markets accounted for the remaining 173,904 autos, or 6.9%.
By way of September, Mexico exported 2,528,623 mild autos worldwide, down 1.5% from the two,567,172 autos exported throughout the identical interval in 2025.
The September decline was significantly steeper than the year-to-date contraction, with producers transport 37,287 fewer autos overseas than a yr earlier.
Mexico’s automotive producers assembled 301,803 mild autos in September, a decline of 53,786 models in contrast with September 2025.
For the primary 9 months of 2026, whole light-vehicle manufacturing reached 2,946,943 models, down 2.4% from 3,020,006 autos throughout the corresponding interval final yr.
Gentle vans continued to dominate Mexican automotive manufacturing, accounting for 79% of manufacturing via September.
Producers assembled 2,329,189 mild vans throughout the nine-month interval, in contrast with 617,754 passenger automobiles, representing 21% of manufacturing.
Basic Motors produced 58,949 autos in September, down 27.1% yr over yr, whereas Nissan manufacturing fell 26.3% to 44,355 autos.
Ford Motor’s manufacturing declined 16.4% to 29,480 models, whereas Volkswagen reported a 5.9% lower to 27,475 autos.
Stellantis was among the many producers reporting beneficial properties, with manufacturing rising 4.4% to 35,834 models.
DSV expands US-Mexico freight operations with new McAllen workplace
International logistics supplier DSV has opened a brand new workplace in McAllen, Texas, increasing its operations alongside the U.S.-Mexico border to help rising demand for cross-border transportation and provide chain companies, in keeping with ProTexas Business.
The workplace will present transportation, logistics and cross-border help for producers, freight forwarders and different corporations shifting items between the U.S. and Mexico.
The brand new location enhances DSV’s current border operations in Laredo, Brownsville, El Paso and Los Indios, Texas, in addition to San Diego, California.
The growth will strengthen DSV’s connections with producers in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico, notably maquiladora operations that depend upon cross-border freight companies, executives mentioned.
DSV offers floor, air and ocean transportation, customs clearance, warehousing and provide chain administration companies throughout a world community spanning greater than 90 international locations.
Texas college seeks $772,700 for AI-powered Laredo freight mission
Texas A&M Worldwide College (TAMIU) in Laredo, Texas, is slated to obtain $772,700 in proposed federal funding for a mission that might use synthetic intelligence to enhance freight motion via one of many busiest U.S.-Mexico industrial gateways.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, introduced the proposed funding Oct. 2 for TAMIU’s Port Laredo Logistics Ecosystem Undertaking, which might set up a Digital Twin and Logistics Resilience Lab in partnership with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, in keeping with the Laredo Morning Instances.
The initiative would use AI, sensors and safe knowledge methods to create a digital mannequin of freight exercise, serving to researchers and transportation corporations determine bottlenecks, anticipate disruptions and enhance cargo flows throughout the border.
The proposed $772,700 allocation was included in fiscal yr 2027 appropriations laws, in keeping with Cuellar’s workplace. The funding has not but been finalized.
Why it issues: Mexico’s reliance on the U.S. automotive market makes falling car exports a key indicator for cross-border trucking, rail and automotive provide chains.
The publish Borderlands Mexico: US takes 76% of car exports as September shipments plunge appeared first on BigRig.