The latest sales, production and export report prepared by the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT), indicates progress in some indicators such as retail sales although production had a negative balance.
“During the month of October, the wholesale sale of heavy vehicles reached 2,745 units, which compared to the 2,691 sold during the month of October 2020, represent a growth of 2.0%. From January to October 2021, a total of 25,063 wholesale units were sold, which compared to the 18,701 marketed during the first 10 months of 2020, represents an increase of 34.0%, ”says the statement issued on November 10.
He adds that last October 11,362 units were exported, representing a 7.5% drop compared to the same month but in 2020. “During the period from January to October 2021, a total of 114,474 exported units were registered, which compared to to the 94,592 exported during the first 10 months of 2020, they represent a growth of 21.0%, which shows the vigor of the foreign market ”.
Recovery but not to the desired level
Interviewed by The Economist, the Engineer Miguel Elizalde, executive president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT), mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic had serious effects on heavy vehicle sector. He gave as an example that in 2020 bus sales fell 90%, which was mainly due to the fact that the capacity of urban passenger trucks contracted 70%. “As there is a fixed rate, that means that the income of people who work in the sector fell 70% for several months.”
He added that the reason why it is necessary to implement more actions by the federal and local governments is that the figure reached in 2019 in terms of sales is still very far away and that without support it will not be possible to approach it. “In the renewal and sales we are up by 1.5% compared to 2020 but 19.5% down compared to 2019, which is the real pre-pandemic figure that we should recover.” He also said that currently an average of 2,500 units are delivered per month but that they should be in a minimum of 3,500 vehicles but that they are still few if the 5,700 units are considered according to the study carried out in conjunction with the ONE and the AMDA which indicates that the Mexican market for heavy vehicles has a potential of 69,000 units per year.
Better conditions
Regarding the average age of heavy vehicles, Elizalde pointed out that it is at a very high level compared to what happens in countries like the United States where inspections and controls are very strict. He said that the average age of the cargo fleet is 19 years old and that at least 30% of the 800,000 vehicles in operation should be renewed.
“The government is the one that must act because the benefit is not directly for the carrier or for the Automotive industry when you have such an old, polluting and unsafe fleet. If the carrier renews through incentives, financing or any other financial instrument, a benefit is generated for the whole society in reducing emissions and increasing road safety, not to mention in fuel consumption and in improving the Logistic chain”.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx