Driving Innovation, Fleet Efficiency Through Telematics

Q: What is the main challenge that Scania helps solve for transportation and logistics companies operating in Mexico?

A: We address three major challenges. The first is energy efficiency, covering more kilometers with less fuel. The second is sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint per kilometer traveled through Euro 6 diesel technologies, EVs, buses, or alternatives such as natural gas and liquefied natural gas. The third is profitability, which is not at odds with sustainability. With EU products adapted to Mexico, we offer safety, efficiency, and reduced operating costs while supporting our customers’ environmental goals.

Q: How does Scania adapt its solutions to the needs of the Mexican market?

A: Designing a truck for Mexico does not mean simply copying what is done in the European Union or Brazil. We have a team of engineers who analyze the customer’s route, cargo type, topography, average speeds, and other factors to optimally configure the engine, gearbox, and differential. This is the first step in “tropicalizing” the product.

The second major aspect is maintenance. Mexico has historically been a market for conventional trucks with a long nose, but for the past five years we have been working on the development of the cabover concept, known in the industry as the “short nose.” In this model, Scania directly handles maintenance through service contracts that include preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance. These contracts can be applied at our 17 branches or at over 60 service points within customer workshops. The most advanced model is to install a Scania workshop on the customer’s premises when their fleet exceeds a certain monthly mileage. Under this scheme, we provide technicians, training, tools, software, methodologies, and spare parts directly on-site. This turns maintenance into a fixed cost, eliminates risks associated with spare parts or theft, and allows us to serve the customer quickly and efficiently.

Q: How does Scania drive innovation, regulatory compliance, and industry professionalization?

A: Scania is active in the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor Truck Manufacturers (ANPACT). Along with other EU brands, we serve as a benchmark in regulatory matters. When regulatory changes are proposed, the association is consulted, and we contribute international experience, leveraging existing standards, tests, and methodologies. We also introduce the best proven technology from the European Union and Brazil, adapting it to Mexico to provide comprehensive and reliable solutions. 

We recognize that the shift from diesel to 100% electric is a major global challenge, due to both infrastructure and the charging and distribution ecosystem. Therefore, we promote intermediate solutions. Scania has signed the Global Compact and carbon footprint reduction commitments with Science Based Targets, measuring emissions end-to-end using the well-to-wheel approach, from raw materials to product disposal. This reinforces our responsibility across scopes 1, 2, and 3.

Our role is to offer a complete portfolio: from diesel efficiency to natural gas and liquefied natural gas options, as well as electric solutions for urban distribution. In this way, we support the industry in gradually advancing toward decarbonization with different technologies depending on each customer’s needs.

Q: What actions are necessary to advance electromobility in Mexico?

A: Electromobility is a global necessity, but its development in Mexico still faces significant challenges. In the European Union, there are incentive programs and subsidies that cover up to 30% of investments in electric bus projects, including charging infrastructure and fleet renewal. This support accelerates the transition. In Mexico, however, we lack a national plan or clear subsidy schemes, which limits expansion.

There are over 2,000 charging points in Mexico, but most are for small vehicles with 15kW to 40kW chargers, insufficient for trucks or buses that require higher-capacity chargers to operate efficiently. A single bus consumes the energy equivalent of 18 households, illustrating the scale of the challenge. The total fleet of electric buses in Mexico does not exceed 200 units, far below other countries in the region. Colombia, with 40 million inhabitants, already has over 2,000 electric buses; Chile, with 17 million inhabitants, exceeds 3,000 units. These countries have national and local projects and guarantees, while Mexico still lacks this framework.

Scania promotes the “virtuous triangle,” involving government, operators, and manufacturers. Without the joint participation of these three actors, it is difficult to carry out large-scale projects. Costs remain a challenge: an electric bus can cost almost three times as much as a diesel one, while urban transport fares do not cover that difference. However, electric buses require less maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts and no oil consumption. 

Q: How do you communicate long-term value to your customers, especially those focused on short-term returns?

A: For us, value is based on delivering what we promise: performance, coverage, support, and follow-up. This means that when making project decisions, we can execute quickly without relying on external approvals. For example, if 50 units are purchased and a workshop is needed in another city, we can implement it immediately, ensuring continuity and efficiency.

We recently developed the used-vehicle division, which allows us to offer complete solutions to our customers. This year, we inaugurated a training center and new branches, including one in Villahermosa, expanding our coverage and direct support. This way, we communicate long-term value by showing that the customer receives not only a high-performance vehicle but also a full service cycle that includes maintenance, support, trade-ins, and technological updates. We combine our diesel, natural gas, and electrification platforms to adapt to clients’ specific needs, ensuring efficiency and sustainable returns over time.

Q: How do you use connectivity and telematics to help customers optimize fleets and reduce downtime?

A: What is not measured cannot be controlled, what is not controlled cannot be improved, and what is not improved cannot evolve. That is why measurement and analysis are fundamental. All trucks and buses that Scania brings to Mexico include advanced telemetry. The information generated belongs to the customer, and through our My Scania platform, they can access data on vehicle performance, driving style, remote diagnostics, and overall fleet health.

If the customer subscribes to our maintenance plan, we can use this information to optimize operations and reduce fuel consumption. If the customer prefers to manage maintenance independently, they still have full access to the platform, including sensors, maintenance history, and driving data.

Telematics allows for objective comparison of performance between vehicles, technologies, and fleets, evaluating fuel consumption, emissions, and operational efficiency. This transforms fleet management into a data-driven process, improving productivity and tangibly supporting sustainability.

Q: How has Scania integrated digital tools into its operations and maintenance models, and how is the investment in these tools managed?

A: Digital integration at Scania aims to balance investment with operational improvements, although the priority is ensuring customer service. We use our ERP as the central source of information to feed My Scania. This platform allows customers to access the complete maintenance history, replaced parts, detected faults, and future maintenance plans, all in real time.

Depending on fleet volume, we meet periodically with customers to review information and plan maintenance actions, including scheduled stops, seasonal inspections, or incidents reported by drivers through photos and notes from the vehicle. If we implement a workshop on the customer’s premises, supervisors from both sides work in real time using the same platform, ensuring full synchronization and traceability of all operations.

Q: How does Scania interact with regulatory entities in Mexico regarding emissions and standards such as Euro 6?

A: Scania actively participates through ANPACT. In these working groups, we provide EU standards, certifications, and proven methodologies, which allows for the implementation of compatible and effective regulations in Mexico. During the implementation of Euro 6, we conducted a detailed study of routes and diesel quality in various regions — Monterrey, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Puebla, Villahermosa, Veracruz, and Oaxaca — to ensure that vehicles could operate without affecting combustion or efficiency. This information is shared in regulatory meetings, ensuring that policies are based on real and feasible data.

Our value proposition is to offer sustainable and economically viable solutions, ensuring that technology and standards meet local conditions while aligning with international traceability and certification.

Q: How is Scania adapting its offerings for heavy sectors such as mining, construction, and energy in Mexico?

A: Scania has a dedicated division for mining and heavy sectors, led by experts who adapt the brand’s modular technology to different applications. Using the same powertrain — engine, gearbox, and differential — we can create up to 25 truck combinations depending on the need: 30–40 ton mining tippers, trucks for aggregates, dry or refrigerated cargo, forestry, and buses for various distances. This allows us to “tropicalize” vehicles for Mexico’s specific conditions, ensuring robustness, efficiency, and simplified maintenance.

In mining, for example, customers focus on performance per ton transported. Thanks to the modular configuration and the use of Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines, as well as gas engines for power generation, we have achieved up to 20% savings in fuel consumption per cycle and reduced operating times. Standardization of filters, oils, and training facilitates maintenance and allows tools to be reused across fleets in different segments.

Scania also ensures advanced logistical support. The central warehouse in Queretaro maintains a spare parts inventory valued at US$16 million with a 96% service level, ensuring parts are available the same day or, in emergencies, quickly delivered from other warehouses. This is crucial in mining and construction, where downtime can be extremely costly.

Q: How has the rise of nearshoring and changes in the supply chain affected Scania in Mexico?

A: We have observed differentiated impacts depending on the segment. In urban passenger transport, the effect has been smaller, as we do not have products directly aimed at this type of transport. However, in long-haul and construction trucks, the situation is more pronounced: there has been a significant decrease in orders, with drops exceeding 50% compared to last year.

The main reasons are production line stoppages and a reduction in investment from the United States. Customers continue to operate their fleets and postpone renewals, acquiring new equipment only for specific contracts.

The uncertainty generated by government changes in the United States, potential tariffs, and historically low public spending limits the execution of large infrastructure projects. This directly affects customers in construction, logistics, and distribution, leading to delays in purchasing new units and prompting evaluations of extending the life of existing fleets.

Q: What are Scania’s main strategic objectives for the remainder of 2025 and 2026?

A: The coming years will be challenging, but Scania maintains its strategic plan without changes. Its main objectives for 2025 and 2026 include expanding and strengthening its network in Mexico, increasing from 17 branches. This will increase coverage and service bays across the country.

Scania will also continue investing in infrastructure, talent development, and support to ensure quality transportation solutions and strengthen national logistics. To achieve these goals, this year we have already invested MX$249.69 million (US$13.87 million) in the opening, relocation, and expansion of our sales and service locations, distributed as follows:

- Investment in the opening of Scania Tepotzotlan: MX$143 million.

- Investment in the opening of the Training Center: MX$10 million.

- Investment in the relocation of Scania Culiacan: MX$22 million.

- Investment in the opening of Scania Villahermosa: MX$23.5 million.

- Investment in the relocation of Scania Leon: MX$51.19 million.

For Scania, success in Mexico is defined by closeness to the customer and the ability to implement local solutions based on our global portfolio. These solutions include optimizing cost per kilometer, increasing adoption of advanced technologies, and ensuring that drivers operate more efficiently, safely, and rested. Additionally, success involves offering a complete solution — not just selling trucks, but delivering a connected ecosystem that ensures safety, performance, and sustainability across all operations.