Future vision set out at Sinotruk Global Partners Conference

Themed We leap We link We lead, the Sinotruk Global Partners Conference opened on Saturday in Qingdao, Shandong province, revealed the trends and opportunities in the commercial vehicle sector and showcased the reasons behind the outstanding market performance of the Chinese heavy-duty truck manufacturer based in Jinan, Shandong province.

Focusing on key topics such as global development and win-win industry chain cooperation, the event attracted 620 Sinotruk partners from 97 countries and regions to share new initiatives for the industry's future development.

Centering on seven core application scenarios, the vehicles on display presented innovations across the full industry chain and displayed Sinotruk's strong product range.

Scenario-driven innovation

As the core area of the event, the new energy exhibition sector was represented by four flagship products. The SITRAK G7H pure electric tractor was launched to meet the high-efficiency needs of trunk line logistics; the HOWO TS7 range-extended heavy-duty truck and SITRAK C3H range-extended light truck provide hybrid technology to reduce a driver's range anxiety; and the S6 EV pickup, with flexible energy replenishment and stable range, suits the needs of multiple scenarios and is aimed at promoting the large-scale application of zero-carbon transportation.

In the transportation scenario exhibition area for modern logistics hubs, the SITRAK C9H 4x2 tractor and SITRAK C3 pure electric light truck were the focus, representing the connection between efficiency and value. As a model of high-end heavy-duty trucks, the SITRAK C9H tractor is equipped with a high thermal efficiency engine and comprehensive intelligent safety configurations. The SITRAK C3 pure electric light truck focuses on modern logistics. With a maximum range of over 400 kilometers, it is becoming an ideal choice for high-density urban distribution.

The end-to-end operation scenario exhibition area for large-scale infrastructure construction launched two "infrastructure pioneers": the HOWO TX PRO 6x4 dump truck and SITRAK G7S 8x4 concrete mixter. These vehicles have been optimized for infrastructure scenarios, with improved load-bearing capacity of the frame system and overall stiffness of the rear suspension. They can handle extreme working conditions and high-intensity operation cycles with ease, becoming important tools to improve project quality and ensure schedules.

The mining scenario exhibition area focused on the full-chain needs. The Yellow River 135 mining vehicle adopts a three-layer reinforced frame. Equipped with hardcore configurations, it ensures stable attendance rates under long-term high-intensity operations. The new generation of SITRAK heavy-duty new energy dump trucks was made to reshape the value of mine transportation with zero emission and super-lifting capacity. The S6 commercial pickup, with high-efficiency power train and flexible mobility, becomes an efficient partner for full-scenario operations in mines.

The exhibition vehicles in the comprehensive logistics scenario exhibition area showed the company's effort in meeting the diversified and energy-saving needs of scenarios such as industrial raw material transportation and supply chain transportation. As customized equipment for cold-chain logistics, the HOWO T3H refrigerated truck saves more than 11.8 percent of fuel, becoming an ideal choice for coldchain practitioners to achieve low consumption and high efficiency. The HOWO TH7-N and HOWO TS7 achieved systematic energy saving from the power source to detailed design.

In the comfortable living scenario exhibition area, the VAN's business travel version was upgraded with more space and high-quality performance. The S9 off-road pickup meets the needs of outdoor enthusiasts.

In the all-rounder scenario exhibition area for professional transportation and special operations, two special vehicles — the SITRAK 6X6 all-wheel drive tractor and HOWO TX all-wheel drive dump truck — have broken through many limitations. The HOWO TX all-wheel drive dump truck is equipped with a full-time drive system and its four sets of differential locks can achieve 100 percent locking according to road conditions. Its overall stiffness is increased by 25 percent, making it more reliable under extreme working conditions.

Strategic upgrading

Sinotruk is among the pioneers of China's heavy-duty automobile industry, as it manufactured China's first heavy-duty automobile in 1960. In recent years, it has become a prominent player in the global market and achieved brilliant results. From January to September, the production and sales volume of Sinotruk's heavy-duty trucks ranked first in the world, creating a milestone in the global commercial vehicle industry, said Liu Wei, the company's general manager.

In 2025, Sinotruk's export business achieved high-level growth and the annual export sales volume of heavy-duty trucks is expected to exceed 150,000 units, five times that of 2020, Liu said. From January to September, Sinotruk exported 111,000 heavy-duty trucks, a year-on-year increase of 24.5 percent. Sales in the African and Southeast Asian markets increased by 37.4 and 41.5 percent year-on-year respectively, and sales in the Middle East market increased by 28.7 percent year-on-year.

"In the next five years, we predict that the global commercial vehicle market will still maintain strong resilience. By 2030, the capacity of the global heavy-duty truck market and light truck market will be 1.4 million units and 700,000 units respectively. Compared with Sinotruk's export of more than 150,000 heavy-duty trucks and 10,000 light trucks this year, there is still huge potential for market growth. The global market capacity of pickups and vans will reach 6.5 million units and 1.6 million units respectively," Liu said.

Liu Zhengtao, chairman of Sinotruk, said that by 2030, Sinotruk will celebrate its 100th birthday. To this end, the company will continue to promote transformations in green development, digital intelligence, the after-sales market, international performance, and diversification in products.

Currently, Sinotruk has established 10 complete vehicle production bases in China, with a maximum monthly production capacity of 30,000 heavy-duty trucks. With the in-depth application of big data and artificial intelligence, the automation rate of key processes has reached more than 60 percent.

In the next five years, Sinotruk plans to invest a total of more than $4 billion in research and development and build a professional R&D team with more than 8,000 people. Additionally, it has set up an independent overseas product R&D institution to develop customized products for overseas markets.