International Motors to Add San Antonio Shift in 2027
The assembly plant plans to nearly double its daily output by adding a second shift in early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Trucks
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International Motors will implement a second shift at its 900,000-square-foot San Antonio assembly plant in early 2027. This move follows a period of significant growth for the manufacturer, which sold 19,900 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026.
Why it matters
The company is expanding its domestic workforce and production capacity to meet an ongoing demand upcycle. This strategy aims to increase the manufacturer's share of North American Class 8 truck sales.
The San Antonio plant is currently targeted to produce 100 trucks daily in the fourth quarter of 2026. This output is supported by production trends at the Escobedo plant, which manufactured 4,015 trucks in September 2026.
The players
International Motors
This is a manufacturer of commercial vehicles that operates assembly facilities in both the United States and Mexico.
The details
International Motors is leveraging slack capacity at its Escobedo, Mexico plant to satisfy immediate requirements while preparing the San Antonio facility for full-scale double-shift operations. Recruitment for the San Antonio location has been underway for several months to ensure staffing is ready for the 2027 launch.
Timeline
2022: The San Antonio assembly plant began operations.
August 2025: The Escobedo plant produced 2,253 trucks.
September 2025: The Escobedo plant produced 1,895 trucks.
Late July 2026: First public indications emerged regarding the second shift.
Early 2027: The company plans to introduce the second shift.
Roadmap
This production ramp-up highlights the shift toward localized assembly for heavy-duty vehicles to mitigate supply chain reliance. It positions International Motors to aggressively compete for market share against rivals like Freightliner.
Local residents in San Antonio may see increased employment opportunities as the plant begins its second shift in 2027. The expansion of production is expected to stabilize supply for buyers seeking Class 8 vehicles within the North American market.
The takeaway
The addition of a second shift demonstrates the manufacturer's confidence in sustained demand for heavy-duty transport vehicles. Buyers and industry observers should monitor production volume as a primary indicator of company health.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts, visit the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Transport Topics.
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