Sinotruk exported 15,000 heavy-duty trucks in a single month, setting a new industry record

On September 30, 2025, 100 Sinotruk heavy-duty trucks were lined up at Yantai Port, ready to be shipped to Saudi Arabia. With these vehicles shipped overseas, Sinotruk's September heavy-duty truck exports reached 15,000 units, breaking its own record and setting a new monthly export record for the domestic heavy-duty truck industry. (Pictured: The celebration ceremony for 15,000 heavy-duty truck exports in September at the Sinotruk 2025 Global Partner Conference)

Since expanding overseas in 2004, Sinotruk has consistently held the top spot in domestic heavy-duty truck exports. In its 21st year of overseas expansion, Sinotruk has delivered another impressive performance. At the Sinotruk 2025 Global Partner Conference held on October 18, Sinotruk released the following data:

From January to September, Sinotruk achieved consolidated revenue of US$22.89 billion, a year-on-year increase of 14.9%, and vehicle sales of 335,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 22.8%. Among them, export sales of heavy-duty trucks reached 111,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 24.5%. Today, Sinotruk's products are sold across six continents and over 150 countries and regions, with a global market share exceeding one million units.

What keeps Sinotruk at the forefront, constantly stirring up new trends? Find the answer in this latest report card.

Steering Steadily Against the Wind

As the ship sails thousands of miles, the tide surges.

In recent years, the international competitive landscape has been rapidly reshaped, with tariff, technological, and environmental barriers rising ever higher. As more automakers expand overseas, domestic market issues such as low-price competition and excessive homogeneity have become increasingly prominent. How to manage risks, maintain competitiveness, and achieve sustainable profitability are the soul-searching questions that pioneers and leaders like Sinotruk must constantly confront.

Take Vietnam as an example. Currently, Vietnam is undergoing a period of rapid development driven by accelerated urbanization and large-scale infrastructure construction, resulting in a massive demand in the truck market. To date, Sinotruk has established 35 joint warranty service stations in the Vietnamese market, achieving nationwide sales and after-sales service network coverage. Leveraging this mature network, Sinotruk partnered with Vietnamese distributors in September to hold a roadshow across six major Vietnamese cities. Relying on its superior product quality and long-standing reputation, Sinotruk secured orders for over 800 vehicles. By 2030, Sinotruk plans to expand its overseas distribution channels to 400, providing more convenient service to global customers.

Different countries have distinct customs and cultures, and "local acclimatization" is a common problem faced by companies expanding overseas. Sinotruk's response is to maximize localization, continuously extending its service chain to provide customers with full lifecycle solutions. In a collaboration with a Vietnamese company, Sinotruk, despite facing extremely harsh weather conditions, not only guaranteed delivery but also organized training for local maintenance and driving personnel, effectively ensuring the continued stable operation of vehicles.

With the global market's growing ownership and evolving consumer preferences, the aftermarket is showing tremendous potential for development. Sinotruk places great emphasis on developing the aftermarket and has systematically implemented businesses such as vehicle financing, fleet management, and used vehicle trade-in and repurchase. From January to September of this year, Sinotruk's aftermarket parts sales revenue increased by 59% year-on-year. At this year's Global Partner Conference, Sinotruk launched customized oil, tire, and other parts products to the global market for the first time. In the future, Sinotruk will establish 63 parts centers overseas, with a pre-positioned supply of $50 million, to offer more precise and flexible service and parts policies to global customers.

To achieve stability in overseas expansion, one must not only "win on the front end" but also "supply the back end."

On the eve of National Day, the Sinotruk Laiwu factory was bustling with activity. They received notice that an African customer urgently needed vehicles for fall production, with a tight delivery schedule. Upon receiving the order from the sales department, the factory responded immediately, with production lines working overtime and the finished vehicle warehouse on duty 24 hours a day for delivery. Sinotruk maintained its commitment to customers with "Sinotruk speed." This is the "sales-production" rapid response mechanism Sinotruk has established specifically for its customers.

Currently, Sinotruk has ten complete vehicle production bases in China, with a monthly heavy-duty truck production capacity of up to 30,000 units. The development of intelligent factories is a key factor in Sinotruk's increased production capacity. For example, Sinotruk's Laiwu plant boasts China's first AGV-based flexible assembly line and a Dürr painting line comparable to that used on high-end passenger cars. It also boasts a fully automated "dark factory" for cab welding. In the future, Sinotruk plans to build more lean, intelligent, and green "lighthouse factories," increasing the automation rate of key processes to over 60%.

Currently, the Laiwu plant receives the majority of its orders from international markets. With demand recovering, the booming domestic market is also bolstering Sinotruk's overseas expansion efforts. During the just-concluded National Day and Holiday holiday, Sinotruk secured over 6,700 domestic orders. The two markets support and reinforce each other, forming a virtuous cycle of "walking on two legs" in both domestic and international markets.

Advance against the wind and waves

To sail against the current, if you don't advance, you'll retreat. Localizing marketing and services is just the initial move; achieving new growth requires continued effort.

In traditionally strong markets such as Vietnam and Nigeria, Sinotruk has deepened marketing reforms, gradually extending its sales and service network to second- and third-tier cities and remote areas. By expanding its network and improving its parts supply network, it has significantly increased market coverage and customer reach.

In the Philippines, Sinotruk invested in an assembly plant. On September 5th, the first complete vehicle rolled off the production line. The plant meets the localized assembly and production needs of chassis and cargo boxes, effectively shortening delivery times and providing dealers with more options. According to statistics, from January to September, Sinotruk's sales in Africa and Southeast Asia increased by 37.4% and 41.5% year-on-year, respectively. Sinotruk currently has 30 operating KD plants worldwide, with an expected production capacity of 100,000 vehicles by 2030. Local manufacturing projects in countries such as South Africa and Brazil are also being rapidly developed.

To meet the diverse needs of international customers, Sinotruk has conducted localized product research and development. In Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, Sinotruk engineering vehicles are among its best-selling models. Local customers say that compared to European models, Sinotruk's vehicles better meet their needs, offer high cost-effectiveness, and provide efficient service, making them a significant advantage. Over the next five years, Sinotruk plans to invest over $4 billion in R&D and establish a dedicated R&D team of over 8,000 people. It will also establish a dedicated overseas product R&D facility to develop customized products.

While expanding its core market, Sinotruk is also actively exploring new channels. From January to September, Sinotruk's sales in the Middle East increased by 28.7%, with rapid growth also observed in the high-end market.

In recent years, Sinotruk has shined at international events and exhibitions with its superior product quality, industry-leading technological capabilities, and distinctive design. The newly upgraded Huanghe heavy-duty truck at the Hanover Motor Show in Germany, the HOWO ultra-high-definition broadcast van at the Asian Winter Games, and the Shandeka at international competitions have all left a deep impression on audiences around the world. Leveraging its advantages in heavy-duty truck exports, Sinotruk will further expand its light truck, mining truck, pickup truck, and van business, truly establishing a robust product portfolio covering the full range of commercial vehicles.

Sinotruk has also demonstrated impressive performance in new energy and intelligent driving. From January to September this year, Sinotruk's new energy vehicle sales increased by 300% year-on-year. Currently, Sinotruk's new energy products cover a variety of technology routes, including pure electric, hydrogen, and hybrid, and are continuously achieving innovative breakthroughs in key core technologies such as the three-electric system and vehicle technology. Sinotruk will continue to focus on the electrification, intelligence, and low-carbon revolutions, continuously launching new energy products that better meet market demand, accelerating the mass production of L2+ and L4 intelligent driving technologies, and delving into cutting-edge areas such as intelligent cockpit development and intelligent human-machine interaction, continuously creating new competitive advantages.

Red "Pulse" Activates Global Momentum

A compass is needed to stay on track; ballast is needed to maintain stability.

Amidst the tide of comprehensively promoting high-level opening up, the Party Committee of China National Heavy Duty Truck Group has thoroughly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on Party building in state-owned enterprises, actively promoted Party-building brand development, and successfully established a "one branch, one brand, one branch, one distinctive feature" Party-building brand structure. The Party Committee of China National Heavy Duty Truck International Company closely adhered to the Group Party Committee's deployment, anchored by the "Red Pulse Global" distinctive Party-building brand development, and continuously transformed the Party's political and organizational advantages into competitive advantages and development momentum for the company's expansion into international markets. "Red" represents the unwavering political foundation, highlighting the core strength of Party-building leadership; "Pulse" refers to the extensive organizational roots, referring to both the Party organization's global reach and the market connections for its heavy-duty trucks worldwide.

The company's Party Committee has consistently adhered to the principle of "establishing Party organizations wherever business expands," and has now established a global organizational system: eight general Party branches coordinate and 25 Party branches implement, jointly promoting the in-depth and effective implementation of grassroots Party-building work and fully leveraging the Party organization's role as a bastion of strength. Among them, 21 overseas Party branches directly serve the front lines of overseas markets, while four rear-line Party branches provide solid support. Over 270 Party members, like "red sparks," are spread across major global markets, ensuring comprehensive Party organization coverage and comprehensive leadership of overseas business.

"Being able to pull out, charge in, and win" is the clear requirement of the "Red Pulse Global" brand for its core Party members, and it is also a conscious action of all overseas Party members. In line with the needs of overseas business, the company's Party Committee continues to deepen its "cultivating pioneers in normal times, striving for pioneers in critical moments, and relying on pioneers in times of crisis" initiative, enabling Party members to become "leaders" in market development and "vanguards" in overcoming challenges. Sinotruk International's overseas personnel spend an average of over 250 days overseas each year. Far from their homeland, they have established themselves in foreign lands, and with the spirit of a "steel team, a fierce and fierce division," they have written a chapter of the struggle of Sinotruk employees in foreign lands.

"We Are One"

In the complex global market, simply competing on product and price is outdated. Organizational and systematic operational capabilities are the key to success. If companies can form a "fleet" and work together, they can more easily withstand market fluctuations and seize more development opportunities. This is precisely the advantage of Shandong Heavy Industry Group's "large group."

SINOTRUK closely aligns with Shandong Heavy Industry's "1+N" brand matrix, developing organic collaborations with its sister companies. From participating in international exhibitions as a group to showcase the strength of the group's products across the entire industrial chain and all business segments, to sharing technology and channel resources in market development, collaboratively serving customers, and delivering integrated solutions, this not only effectively avoids homogenous competition but also fosters scale and agglomeration effects through complementary resource advantages, unleashing even stronger overall competitiveness.

If "internal collaboration" is the "basic 1.0" approach to a company's global expansion, then SINOTRUK's in-depth collaboration with external partners is the "upgraded 2.0" approach to "linked win-win." As the leading enterprise in Shandong Province's automotive industry chain and a leader in the national heavy-duty truck industry, Sinotruk has always upheld the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes. Leveraging its industry influence and resource integration capabilities, Sinotruk proactively collaborates with upstream and downstream companies in the industry chain to expand overseas. Simultaneously, Sinotruk deeply integrates top global resources and works closely with numerous globally renowned strategic suppliers, sharing resources, collaborating on key issues, and jointly innovating. This has fostered a secure, stable, responsive, and industry-leading collaborative ecosystem, truly transforming the supply chain into a "win-win chain."

A Larger "Circle of Friends"

In late September, Sinotruk officially opened its first officially authorized showroom in Benghazi, a key port in Libya.

Currently, Libya is at a critical juncture in reconstruction, with urgent needs in areas such as engineering construction and logistics. The newly completed showroom integrates product exhibitions, business negotiations, and after-sales service, providing local customers with one-stop solutions. Sinotruk also plans to build a KD factory, parts center, and training center in the region, continuously injecting momentum into Libya's reconstruction and further supporting its economic recovery and social development.

The journey to global expansion is more than simply the flow of products and services; it's also a process of building connections and deep interactions between people. Warm relationships are more magnetic and sticky, attracting more and more people to join their "circle of friends" and building a powerful synergy.

SINOTRUK understands this well. While providing high-quality products and services to the local community, it also actively participates in various initiatives to improve the local production and living environment, driving industrial transformation and upgrading. This year, with the support of the governments of Kazakhstan and Karaganda Oblast, SINOTRUK established Saran Machinery Co., Ltd. The new plant will be equipped with Kazakhstan's first electrophoretic metal processing production line, which will not only significantly enhance local technical facilities but is also expected to create up to 1,000 jobs, bringing tangible benefits to the local population.

In addition to promoting localization in marketing, service, and production, SINOTRUK is also striving to localize its talent pool, cultivating outstanding individuals with an international perspective and cross-cultural communication skills. This year, SINOTRUK held its first training camp for foreign trainers at its headquarters. Upon returning home, these international students will bring the advanced knowledge they learned at CNHTC to contribute their wisdom and strength to the development of their respective countries. In the future, CNHTC will build 100 new training centers to continuously supply high-quality talent to the global commercial vehicle industry.

"Running" Towards a Greater Future

Holding the Elephant, the World Expands.

On October 18, CNHTC held its 2025 Global Partner Conference, bringing together 620 partners from 97 countries and regions in Qingdao to celebrate the grand occasion.

At the conference, CNHTC projected that heavy-duty truck export sales this year will exceed 150,000 units, setting a new record. Furthermore, CNHTC firmly stated its plan to export 250,000 heavy-duty trucks, 100,000 light trucks, 50,000 light vehicles, and 3,000 mining trucks by 2030, with a target of US$1 billion in overseas aftermarket revenue.

The latest report card demonstrates that the key to Sinotruk's ability to remain at the forefront and challenge higher waves lies in breaking free from the vicious cycle of zero-sum competition and adopting an incremental mindset to forge new paths. Sinotruk aims to deepen its competitiveness internally and seize new opportunities externally, achieving organic synergy between internal and external factors. It rejects short-term gains and prioritizes long-term development, achieving a dynamic balance between short-term gains and long-term value. It also upholds open cooperation, pursues mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and realizes the coexistence and prosperity of individuals and the whole.

With clear goals, a sound direction, and decisive action, Sinotruk has emerged stronger through trials and tribulations, and has forged ahead steadily.

This year marks the decisive battle for the 14th Five-Year Plan and the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Embarking on a new journey, Sinotruk will resolutely promote the five major transformations of "greening, digitalization, service-oriented development, internationalization, and diversification." With practical action as the navigator and endeavor as the sail, it will go all out to elevate China's development into a manufacturing powerhouse to a new level. This is not only a commitment to the century-old Sinotruk, but also the most powerful response to the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.