FOTON Global Partners Conference 2026 Highlights China’s Rise in CVs

 At the 2026 FOTON Global Partners Conference, attended by representatives from more than 140 countries, global distributors and partners received a comprehensive update on China’s accelerating leadership in the commercial vehicle (CV) industry, as well as FOTON’s strategic roadmap for the years ahead. Asian Trucker joined Malaysia’s Angka-Tan Motor Sdn Bhd at the event to gain firsthand insight into product innovations, manufacturing upgrades, and the company’s direction in new energy commercial mobility.

China’s Commercial Vehicle Industry Accelerates Global Leadership

Speakers at the conference highlighted that China has led global commercial vehicle sales for 15 consecutive years, accounting for 23% of the world’s annual CV volume, or about 1.15 million units. High localisation levels—exceeding 90% across key components—have helped the sector shorten development cycles, reduce costs, and enhance supply chain stability.

China’s dominance in the global EV transition was another focal point. The country currently holds 65% of global battery manufacturing capacity and has achieved 25% EV penetration, far surpassing the global average of 8%. In the first nine months of 2025, China’s EV market generated USD 566 billion, signalling both commercial maturity and strong domestic demand.

Rapid advances in intelligent and autonomous systems were also showcased. New energy recovery technologies deliver rates up to 97%, and more than 3,600 EV models are already in commercial operation. China’s fuel cell portfolio now covers outputs between 80 kW and 300 kW, while next-generation modular EV platforms offer up to 550 km long-haul capability.

FOTON’s Position: Technology Upgrades and Global Confidence

FOTON reported strong growth momentum, with estimated 2025 sales reaching 670,000 units. Its production facilities have also undergone dramatic transformation since 2024, with automation reaching 85%. The company emphasised its multi-technology pathway—ICE, hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen solutions—aimed at meeting diverse global market needs.

For the next five years, FOTON will prioritise innovation in energy consumption, industrial design, and full-lifecycle digital mobility solutions. AI-powered fleet management platforms, integrated vehicle–road connectivity, and unified EV architectures (supporting 1-DTU and 5-domain controllers) position the company to compete globally as commercial mobility becomes increasingly intelligent and data-driven.
Strategic Roadmap: Safety, New Energy, and Purpose-Built Vehicles

FOTON outlined several major strategic thrusts for its global markets:

Safety First: Upgraded ADAS systems and next-generation safety architectures will be standardised across major product lines, aligning with the company’s view that safer vehicles generate better profitability for customers.

New Energy Vehicles (NEV): Hydrogen-powered trucks, once conceptual, are now entering commercial rollout. FOTON will provide a broad portfolio of battery-electric, hybrid, and hydrogen solutions tailored to specific missions and regional requirements.

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV): Through joint development with body builders, FOTON will expand SPV offerings for municipal services, construction fleets, cold chain logistics, and hazardous goods transport.

During the event, FOTON showcased several new and upgraded models:

Wonder Plus – a light commercial vehicle with class-leading cargo capacity.

Daystar – positioned as the world’s first dedicated pure electric light truck platform.

Galaxus – now in its fifth generation, integrating more than 90 self-developed technologies.
 

Malaysia Perspective: Strong Momentum and Market Alignment

A Malaysian delegation led by Aaron Chai LH, Chief Sales Strategic Officer of Angka-Tan Motor, attended the conference to assess FOTON’s upcoming product pipeline. Chai noted significant acceleration in FOTON’s NEV strategy compared to previous years.

“In 2024, most of the focus was still on diesel,” he said. “This year, nearly everything presented was electric or hydrogen-powered. Electrification is clearly moving very fast.”

He expressed optimism about potential new prime mover options for Malaysia, particularly the Galaxus R7 and R5, as well as the 680-hp Galaxus R9 for construction-related applications.

However, Chai acknowledged that charging infrastructure remains a bottleneck for Malaysia’s logistics operators—not the vehicle technologies themselves. He emphasised that FOTON’s responsiveness to market needs, combined with a 30-member Malaysian technical and service team, makes the brand a strong long-term partner.

“They enter the market with a solid product, and they improve it continuously,” Chai noted. “That, combined with the support structure they have built locally, really reflects the ‘partnership’ message of this event.”

Angka-Tan Motor was also presented with the Fleet Development Achievement Award for its pioneering deployment of FOTON EVs with retailer 99 Speed Mart.

A Central Role in the Future of Global Logistics

The 2026 FOTON Global Partners Conference illustrated how China’s CV industry is racing ahead through scale-driven efficiency, rapid technology iteration, and deep integration of software and hardware ecosystems. FOTON’s strategy—anchored in safety, new energy, and global collaboration—positions the brand as a leading player shaping the next decade of commercial mobility.

As electrification and smart connectivity redefine transportation, FOTON’s continued investment in innovation and global partnerships aims to deliver greener, safer, and more efficient logistics solutions to markets worldwide.

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