Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy, announced a benefits program to promote the renewal of heavy vehicles nationwide. This initiative will impact those who use buses, semi-trucks, or cargo trucks in their business activities through four pillars: tax incentives from the Plan Mexico scheme, revival of the guarantee scheme, a new Official Mexican Standard on safety devices, and updates to estimated prices for importing used heavy vehicles.
Secretary Ebrard presented the 'Immediate Attention Program for the Protection of the Heavy Vehicle Industry'. He explained that a fund of 2 billion pesos is allocated to incentivize the purchase of new heavy trucks produced or assembled in Mexico. Through a decree under the Plan Mexico, an immediate deduction incentive will be granted for the purchase of fixed assets; meaning, 'if you buy the new vehicle, you can deduct it from the taxes you pay in the first year'. To access this tax benefit, interested parties must review the guidelines and requirements of the program and apply for permission once they obtain it.
To ensure the program covers more people and transport companies, the guarantee scheme will be implemented. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport and Nacional Financiera (Nafin) will offer financing schemes for the purchase of heavy vehicles assembled in Mexico.
The Secretary of Economy explained that a new Official Mexican Standard on safety devices is expected, so that new vehicles will have minimum standards such as seat belts and seats, lighting and controls, mirrors and indirect vision, headrests, and indicators. 'The standard will prevent the sale of units that pose a risk to people's safety and will reduce environmental damage,' he said.
Finally, the federal government will update the estimated prices for importing used heavy vehicles, as they are currently undervalued and distort the market for new units. The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit must ensure that the sale of used heavy vehicles 'is carried out at fair levels' to not affect the competitiveness of the new vehicle market. Information about the program and its conditions will also be available on the Secretariat of Economy's portal. Afterward, they will send an authorization request to the Productive Development Unit of the Secretariat of Economy.
