I wonder what the ratio is in actual trucks. I suspect the American companies have a lot more trucks per company.
This effort could result in some significant savings. It is kind of pointless to have to ship goods to the border only to have them reloaded on a different truck that can operate in the other country.
I would however place some minimal language requirements on the commercial drivers. I spent two weeks in rural parts of Mexico last month, and even though I only know a handful of words in Spanish, I usually didn't have a lot of problems communicating basic things. However, if I needed to stop for directions I'd have been in serious trouble if it weren't for the other people on the trip that spoke more Spanish.
On an interesting side note, did you know that apparently due to some agricultural regulations your vehicle can be refused reentry into the United States if it has too much mud caked on it? US Customs actually made us drive back across the Rio Grande into Mexico to get our truck washed before they would allow us into the United States. They did also make us take some of the things out of the back and let them search through them. To be hones, the truck was really did have a pretty thick layer of mud on the sides.
From Neidermeyer, yesterday:
I delivered to Laredo once ,, left my trailer at a locked yard, I wouldnt dare take a truck into Nuevo Laredo ... let me count the reasons why..
1.) drug lords own the police
2.) can you really trust federales that drive as their police car a car stolen in the US?
3.) even 1 pistol cartridge can get you thrown in jail forever
4.) their jails arent pretty
5.) you will need a wad of cash for bribes
6.) the bad guys will know that and go after you for the cash...
7.) just the value of your fuel will get you killed much less 18 tires at $275 each
8.) roads arent marked
9.) maps are incorrect
10.) you could end up waiting days or weeks to get your load unloaded ,, all the while you stay awake 24/7 guarding your load and truck...
11.) if robbed the police will not help
12.) if your truck is sabotaged you have no choice but to walk away (fly home) your insurance wont pay squat because you were stupid enough to go there..
Taking even one load into Mexico (at best) means bankruptcy if you run your own truck.. this is a 1 way street... another terrible decision based on global dreams..
It's a BS ploy by a select few in government in the US and Mexico.
I wonder how many of the Mexican trucks are owned by American trucking companies.