Reconnect with peers and meet new contacts at the Heritage Bistro Bar, conveniently located in the Marquis Reforma Hotel, to kick off ALSC Mexico 2026.

Dress code – Business Casual

18:00-21:00 

Collect your badge, explore the exhibition and enjoy a bite to eat ahead of a packed opening day. 

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. 

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.  

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 

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 

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

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 

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  

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 
   

Hear how Volkswagen is driving transformation in its production and logistics network at "Mexico speed”, redefining project timelines through faster decision-making and greater local autonomy as it localises new models. To meet demand for this growing volume, the company is working with logistics partners to enhance efficiency and speed, from implementing digitalisation in port and yard operations, to scaling multimodal and rail logistics. 

Volkswagen's Peter Koltai will share insights into how the carmaker is realising its strategic decision to relocate Golf production to Puebla in a compressed time, including how local teams are rewriting traditional industry playbooks to turn implement logistics and supply chain decisions into delivery with unprecedented speed and efficiency. He will also demonstrate how the carmaker is working with logistics providers to optimise changing logistics flows and volumes, including enhancing multimodal and rail freight options across the network, and speed throughput at major ports.  

As Mexican automotive production and trade flows evolve, competitive automotive logistics networks must make maximum use of rail, ports and multimodal infrastructure to improve speed, efficiency and reliability. This session will explore how automotive manufacturers are implementing new technologies and transport solutions to meet their goals.  

Rising freight demand and changing supply chains are placing greater pressure on Mexico’s transport networks to meet demand at the best possible lead time, quality,  cost and emissions. This panel will discuss investments and partnerships in rail capacity and equipment, port modernisation, and automation, with examples of how automotive manufacturers like Volkswagen are building more competitive and integrated logistics.
Experts from major OEMs, ports and logistics providers will share insights into maximising rail and multimodal transport, including increasing containerised parts and cargo alongside finished vehicles, across North America. Learn about technology and digital innovations in port operations, including autonomous freight movements and automatic crane and material handling. Gain insights into the investments, infrastructure and collaboration that will support the most efficient multimodal logistics in Mexico with long term-competitive advantages for the industry. 

Key discussion points:

• Driving faster change management and flexible logistics network optimisation 
• Expanding rail utilisation and network integration across automotive parts and freight 
• Port efficiency and throughput improvements
• Digitalisation and automation opportunities across port operations and multimodal logistics 
• Reducing bottlenecks across key corridors
• Logistics strategies for cost and sustainability goals
• Public-private collaboration and infrastructure investment

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

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

Re-group and re-fuel for day two with some early morning refreshments, and kick start the conversation with new-found colleagues and connections.

Gain essential market intelligence on the outlook for vehicle production, sales and investment across Mexico and North America, examining the economic, political and industrial forces shaping automotive supply chains and logistics strategies over the coming years.  

Led by a leading industry analyst, the session will explore how changing production footprints, powertrain transitions, trade policy and macroeconomic volatility are influencing sourcing, manufacturing and logistics decisions across the region.

Key discussion points:

• North American and Mexican vehicle production and sales forecasts
• Regional investment trends and manufacturing shifts
• Powertrain transition and changing product mix strategies
• Trade policy, tariffs and geopolitical impacts on the market
• The implications for automotive logistics networks and supply chain planning 

Logistics and supply chain leaders respond to the changing production, sales and trade outlook through the lens of on-the-ground operational realities and discuss how to ensure that network and operational changes are made with total delivered cost in mind, including logistics planning, nearshoring, supplier collaboration and inventory strategies.

Topics include how production volume and powertrain mix shifts are reshaping inbound and distribution flows, where logistics consolidation is emerging, and the strategic decisions facing OEMs, suppliers, and logistics providers across North America as trade, sourcing, and demand patterns evolve.

Key discussion points:

• How logistics flows, consolidation and partnerships could evolve as production footprints shift  
• Impacts and implications of updates to USMCA and other trade changes  
• Expectations for costs, rates and pricing across the supply chain  
• Total delivered cost optimisation
• Regional logistics and transport mode diversification 

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 

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 

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 

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 

This session focuses on the digital and data investments that are having a measurable impact in making Mexico’s automotive supply chains– and the organisational and partner conditions required to scale them.  

Industry leaders share where digitalisation, visibility enhancements and AI are producing operational gains, lessons learnt from pilots, and the practical conditions from moving from proof-of-concept to production.  

Key discussion points:

• Practical AI use cases delivering measurable operational value
• Digitalising processes across logistics execution and planning
• Improving supply chain visibility and control tower management
• Integrating systems across suppliers and providers
• The organisational and data conditions needed to

Discover how Mexico’s major manufactures and logistics providers are effectively managing complexity and variation in plant and warehouse logistics through digitalisation, up-skilling, process innovation and partnership models to reach new levels of efficiency, quality and logistics performance.

As Mexico’s automotive manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve productivity, flexibility and cost performance, attention is turning inward to the factory floor and in-house material flows. These include efforts to standardise systems and increase digital visibility, redesign value streams and material flows to better manage complexity, as well as to explore the business case for the right automation. Equally important are ensuring strong processes and relationships with partners, together with up-skilling and workforce transformation. 

In this session, learn how intralogistics is becoming a critical lever for improving operational performance and strengthening end-to-end supply chains. Experts will discuss how automotive manufacturers and logistics partners are optimising internal logistics operations to increase efficiency, support production agility and deliver measurable gains across the supply chain, while sharing practical experiences, implementation challenges and lessons learned. 

Key discussion points:

• Managing part and product complexity across multiple production and warehouse lines
• Applying lean principles and process improvements to internal material flows
• Improving visibility across sequencing, line supply and just-in-time operations
• Technologies and digitalisation that enhance flow, accuracy and responsiveness
• Managing labour challenges and workforce impacts in a changing operating environment
• Building the right partnerships and processes to ensure quality and stability 
• Assessing the business case and opportunities for automation in Mexico 

Connecting established professionals with tomorrow’s supply chain talent through a hands-on conversation.  

Senior industry figures, early-career practitioners, and students in automotive logistics will engage in an interactive session focused on cross-generational collaboration, building skills for future roles and leadership, and keeping automotive logistics an attractive and relevant for the next generation of talent. 

Nearshoring investment, evolving labour regulations, and intensifying competition for skilled talent are reshaping the workforce equation. In this session, learn how automotive logistics stakeholders in Mexico are building a future-ready workforce to sustain competitiveness in the next phase of growth. 

From the transition to a 40-hour working week and outsourcing law reforms through to a project near-doubling of the driver shortage by 2028, operators in Mexico are navigating an unusually dense set of workforce changes. Understand more about the dynamics and potential solutions for automotive logistics.  

Key discussion points:  

• Strengthening the employer value proposition to attract and retain talent across competitive labour markets
• Identifying high-potential talent, accelerating talent development, and preparing future leaders  
• Upskilling the workforce for digital and AI fluency, from operators to leadership  
• Building cultures and leadership models that sustain productivity and engagement as working patterns, technology, and regulatory expectations evolve 

As the industry looks beyond immediate disruption and volatility, automotive leaders assess the long-term operational priorities, partnerships and investments that will shape Mexico’s competitiveness as a global automotive manufacturing and logistics hub.

This forward-looking closing session reflects on the major themes emerging from the conference while identifying the strategies and capabilities companies must prioritise to remain resilient, efficient and growth-focused in the years ahead. 
Key discussion points:  

• The supply chain and logistics capabilities that will matter most in 2027
• The future role of AI, automation and digital visibility
• Infrastructure, multimodal and cross-border priorities
• How the industry can adapt, evolve and succeed in a changing and uncertain trade and regulator landscape  
• Building more agile, collaborative and intelligence-led logistics networks