Foton, COSCO Shipping Move to Secure Capacity as China’s CV Exports Rise

Foton Motor is partnering with COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers to strengthen logistics support for its overseas business, as China’s commercial vehicle (CV) exports continue to grow and supply chain risks increase.

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China exported 178,000 commercial vehicles in January–February 2026, up 22.4% year on year, extending last year’s growth momentum and highlighting the sector’s accelerating global expansion.

However, a volatile global trade environment is adding pressure. Ongoing geopolitical tensions are affecting international trade, while disruptions on key ocean routes and broader logistics uncertainty are emerging as major constraints for Chinese manufacturers expanding abroad.
Against this backdrop, CV makers face a dual challenge: overseas expansion is increasingly necessary to stay competitive, yet execution is becoming more complex. Industry players are now shifting focus from product competitiveness alone to building stable, efficient and controllable supply chains to support long-term global operations.

Ocean shipping remains a critical link in this process. Both complete vehicles and key components depend heavily on maritime transport, making exporters highly exposed to fluctuations in freight rates, vessel capacity and delivery schedules.
As export volumes scale up, demand for reliable shipping capacity and predictable lead times is rising. Traditional spot booking models are proving insufficient, while tight capacity, route disruptions and volatile freight costs are compressing margins and increasing delivery risks.

For companies expanding globally, such uncertainty can delay orders and disrupt market planning. Securing stable and dedicated shipping capacity is therefore becoming an industry-wide priority.

Foton Motor has been one of the most active Chinese CV exporters. The company has ranked first in overseas sales among Chinese brands for 15 consecutive years, with cumulative exports reaching 1.25 million units. Between 2021 and 2025, its overseas business grew at an average annual rate of 29.7%.

In 2025, Foton Motor reported overseas sales of 165,000 units, up 7.3% year on year. Its business now covers more than 140 countries and regions, supported by over 1,200 sales outlets and 1,500 service networks, alongside ongoing efforts to localize operations.

To address rising logistics challenges, Foton Motor is moving beyond traditional outsourcing by forming a joint venture with COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers. The partnership aims to build a long-term, stable and scalable ocean freight system to support vehicle and parts exports.

COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers brings global route resources and operational expertise, while Foton Motor contributes stable export volumes and an established overseas network. The collaboration is designed to improve capacity security, delivery reliability and end-to-end logistics efficiency.

The joint venture will focus on developing customized, large-scale shipping solutions, with the goal of mitigating capacity shortages, stabilizing freight costs and reducing delivery delays. It is also expected to turn logistics from a volatile cost factor into a more predictable, strategic investment.

The joint venture is scheduled to be officially launched on March 26. Further details on its operational model, supply chain structure and global service capabilities are expected to be disclosed, offering a potential new approach for the commercial vehicle industry’s global expansion.

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