2026 Agenda
Decisive logistics:
Moving Mexico with clarity, speed and local excellence
Conference open for registration, networking and refreshments
Collect your badge, explore the exhibition and enjoy a bite to eat ahead of a packed opening day.
Welcome and industry outlook: Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico
Automotive Logistics’ Chief Content Officer Christopher Ludwig opens the conference with insight into the trends, disruptors and drivers transforming Mexico and North America’s automotive logistics and supply chains, highlighting why supply chain and logistics organisations’ ability to pivot with purpose, deliver value amidst volatility and turn cost pressure into opportunity is paramount to success.
[Keynote] Moving Mexico with clarity, speed and local excellence
Hear from Mexico’s major OEMs how they are transforming their supply chain strategies, logistics flows and production footprints at unprecedented speed to remain competitive amidst the new world order of trade, tariffs and competitiveness.
[Panel] Mexico in motion: Building decisive automotive supply chains at pace
Mexico’s automotive industry is being reshaped by trade volatility, shifting regional demand, accelerated localisation programmes, and intensifying competition from new market entrants, forcing players to adapt at a faster pace than ever. This opening session explores how the industry is repositioning its operations in Mexico for greater competitiveness through logistics and supply chain design, digitalisation, local decision making and the right partnerships
Key discussion points:
- Mexico’s evolving role in North American automotive production
- Balancing cost, resilience and service performance
- Aligning production, sourcing and logistics strategies
- What decisive supply chains look like in 2026
- The partnerships needed to accelerate action and execution
Networking, meetings and exhibition
11:00 – [Panel] Smarter supply chains: Delivering continuity with less cost and disruption
Automotive manufacturers and logistics providers share practical approaches to creating more resilient supply chains and inbound logistics, including through better transport planning, digitalisation, packaging optimisation, inventory visibility and supplier management.
Key discussion points:
- Lean but resilient inventory strategies for an uncertain demand environment
- Cost control best practices which don’t inhibit service performance
- Unlocking value through packaging and container management
- Strengthening supplier collaboration, transport synchronisation and modal shifts
11:00 – [Workshop] Service at speed: Scaling aftersales logistics for a growing and changing market
This workshop explores how the industry is redesigning service parts logistics networks to balance lean inventories with high availability, faster dealer fulfilment, and lower obsolescence while enabling new entrants to build aftersales capability from a standing start.
As new market entrants scale dealer networks alongside legacy brands, and the Mexican vehicle parc continues to grow, service parts logistics has become a frontline driver of customer retention, brand loyalty, and aftermarket profitability. Explore opportunities in this interactive workshop.
Interactive focus areas:
- Parts network design for incumbents vs. new entrants
- Faster dealer replenishment without disrupting inventory models
- Cross-border vs. domestic stocking strategies
- Aftermarket demand visibility and forecasting in a shifting vehicle parc
[Panel] Finished vehicle logistics: Raising speed, quality and network performance
Vehicle distribution networks across Mexico and North America face rising pressure on throughput, damage rates, yard performance and time-to-market – particularly as new market entrants build out their footprints alongside legacy brands. This session examines how vehicle logistics leaders across the industry are responding.
Key discussion points:
- Port, rail and trucking network speed and capacity challenges
- Improving yard management and vehicle visibility
- Accelerating delivery performance and quality standards
- Managing imports, exports and domestic distribution
Networking Lunch
[Panel] Trade and industrial policy: Aligning Mexico’s automotive agenda with supply chain realities
As Mexico navigates shifting global trade relationships and evolving industrial priorities, the automotive sector faces both opportunity and growing operational complexity. This session will explore how industry and government policy should align to support Mexico’s manufacturing and logistics strengths, leveraging greater localisation, strategic trade and logistics flows.
This session brings together automotive leaders, trade experts and public sector stakeholders to examine how policy, regulation and public-private collaboration can better support resilient automotive supply chains and Mexico’s industrial development. From infrastructure and customs modernisation to cargo security, localisation and evolving USMCA dynamics, the discussion will explore the practical actions and policy priorities needed to strengthen Mexico’s operating environment amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Key discussion points:
- The Mexican administration’s priorities for automotive manufacturing, trade and industrial development
- How trade policy, tariffs and regional relations are shaping investment and sourcing decisions
- Supporting localisation, nearshoring and long-term supply chain competitiveness
- Infrastructure, energy and border investment priorities for automotive growth
- Addressing cargo security, freight theft and operational disruption
[Panel] Cross-border logistics under pressure: Keeping freight moving across North America
Cross-border operations remain central to Mexico’s automotive competitiveness but face mounting pressure from infrastructure constraints, congestion at key gateways, evolving customs and tariff dynamics. This session examines how companies can improve speed, predictability and visibility for North America freight, including through maximising rail capacity, intermodal adoption and tighter shipper-carrier collaboration
Key discussion points:
- Improving customs efficiency and border coordination
- Managing congestion and transit reliability
- Optimising multimodal transport strategies
- Investing in data and visibility to compress dwell and improve predictability
- Leveraging USMCA and regional trade frameworks
- Building stronger shipper-carrier collaboration
Networking, meetings and exhibition
15:45 – [Workshop] Port efficiencies and vehicle throughput strategies
An operational deep-dive into the practical port and terminal interventions delivering measurable throughput gains for finished vehicle flows in Mexico - from yard layout and equipment use to digital visibility tools and inter-party coordination.
Interactive focus areas:
- Reducing congestion and improving yard operations
- Digitalisation and visibility across port processes
- Collaboration between ports, rail and trucking providers
- Capacity planning for imports and exports
- Supporting future vehicle volume growth
15:45 – [Workshop] Tackling freight theft and supply chain risk across Mexico
Security leaders, OEMs and logistics providers examine practical approaches to protecting automotive cargo and strengthening operational resilience.
Interactive focus areas:
- Risk mapping and route intelligence
- Collaboration with authorities and industry partners
- Technology for monitoring and intervention
- Driver safety and operational protocols
- Building proactive security cultures
15:45 – [Workshop] Crisis management for inbound logistics
An interactive simulation-led session examining how automotive manufacturers and suppliers can respond faster to plant disruption, supplier shortages, transport delays and operational emergencies.
Interactive focus areas:
- Building effective escalation and response frameworks
- Managing supplier and transport disruptions
- Plant continuity and recovery planning
- Improving communication across stakeholders
- Lessons learned from real-world disruptions
15:45 – [Workshop] Customs and compliance masterclass
A practical deep-dive into the customs procedures, tariff classification challenges and cross-border compliance strategies impacting automotive supply chains in 2026 – including the operational implications of recent trade policy shifts, intensified enforcement on country-of-origin and the growing administrative burden of regional content certification.
Interactive focus areas:
- Customs process optimisation and documentation accuracy
- Managing tariff volatility and trade compliance risk
- Leveraging USMCA effectively
- Preparing for audits and regulatory change
- Improving broker, carrier and shipper coordination
Wrap-up workshops and move to main session
[Panel] Mexico’s new market players: Delivering competitive and scalable logistics
As new automotive brands and manufacturers expand their presence in Mexico, logistics and supply chain operations are becoming a critical competitive differentiator from day one. New entrants are being challenged to scale finished vehicle, supplier, dealer and aftersales networks at speed – while navigating trade uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, and exploring localisation opportunities.
This session explores how emerging market entrants are building operational footprints in Mexico and the logistics and supply chain models supporting rapid market entry and growth.
Key discussion points:
- Launching efficient finished vehicle import and domestic distribution networks
- Building aftersales logistics capabilities to support growth and customer retention
- Managing speed-to-market while controlling logistics cost
- Scaling logistics operations alongside dealer network expansion
- Examining localisation and footprint opportunities
Conference day 1 wrap up and close
Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico Networking Dinner
Come together with colleagues, industry leaders and fellow delegates for an enjoyable evening of good conversation. The ALSC Mexico networking dinner provides the perfect opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and build meaningful relationships with friends, partners and decision-makers.
Dress code - Business Casual or dress to impress
18:00-21:00
For speaking opportunities contact:
