Foton steps up European strategy at Hannover

Foton Motor is stepping up its push into Europe with a strategy that goes beyond vehicle exports to encompass new energy technologies, intelligent driving and localized services, as the Chinese commercial vehicle maker stages its largest-ever appearance at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany.

At the show, Foton is displaying seven vehicles and six key components, spanning battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen technologies across heavy trucks, light trucks, buses and chassis.

The company is also marking the delivery of its 13 millionth vehicle globally, an Auman Galaxy 9, with the milestone vehicle entering the Spanish market.

Foton describes its new strategy as "in Europe, for Europe", with a focus on adapting products to local operating conditions while building capabilities in energy, charging, after-sales services and fleet operations.

The company is seeking to build an ecosystem around its vehicles in Europe, where it has sales networks in nearly 20 markets and more than 300 service outlets.

Local vehicle assembly in Europe is expected to start by 2028, with locally produced vehicles and parts designed to meet EU regulatory requirements.

The push comes as the global commercial vehicle industry faces growing pressure to reduce emissions and improve operating efficiency.

For heavy-duty trucks, the shift to new-energy powertrains can bring substantial emissions reductions over the vehicle lifecycle.

It is estimated that a new-energy heavy truck can cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 200 metric tons over its lifecycle, from production through daily operation, compared with a conventional fuel-powered model.

Europe is moving toward electrification, although the transition remains at an early stage.

Electrically chargeable trucks accounted for 4.8 percent of new EU truck registrations in the first half of 2026, up from 3.6 percent a year earlier, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association.

The gap with China remains substantial. Electric heavy freight trucks accounted for about 28 percent of truck sales in China in 2025, compared with around 1.5 percent in Europe, according to the International Energy Agency.

McKinsey has said the relatively slow transition in Europe could create opportunities for new entrants, including Chinese manufacturers with advantages in scale, batteries and electric-vehicle technology.

Foton's BEACON, making its global debut at Hannover, offers one example of how such capabilities are being translated into products for overseas markets.

Designed for medium- and long-haul applications, the new-energy heavy truck is built on a platform compatible with both battery-electric and hydrogen power.

Its battery-electric version supports battery capacities of up to 677 kilowatt-hours and charging of up to 1.44 megawatts, while the hydrogen version is designed for a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, according to Foton.

As Europe accelerates the shift toward zero-emission commercial transport, Chinese manufacturers including Foton could add another layer of competition and potentially another source of technology, products and investment to the region's transition, said analysts.

The European strategy is part of Foton's broader ambition to become a world-class commercial vehicle enterprise.

The company has set its 2030 strategic targets, aiming for overseas sales to account for 40 percent and NEVs for 50 percent of its total sales.

The localization effort in Europe reflects a broader change in how Chinese automakers are approaching overseas markets.

Rather than relying mainly on finished-vehicle exports, manufacturers are increasingly building local sales, service, parts, manufacturing and technology capabilities to meet regulatory requirements and the operational needs of local customers.

Foton formally began its internationalization in 2004. Now it has products and services in more than 140 countries and regions, with more than 32 plants and over 1,200 overseas sales and service outlets.

Last year, its overseas sales reached 165,000 vehicles, while its exports in the first half of 2026 reached 109,000, up 38.9 percent year-on-year.