China's Truck Exports Jump 51.5% in September as Truckmakers Expand Overseas

China's commercial vehicle market showed different trends at home and overseas in September 2026. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), domestic commercial vehicle sales fell 14.6% year on year to 235,000 units. Exports, however, rose 44.3% to 133,000 units.

Truck exports performed even better. China exported 118,000 trucks in September, up 51.5% year on year. This was 7.2 percentage points higher than the growth rate for total commercial vehicle exports. Domestic truck sales were only 77,000 units higher than exports. If the current trend continues, truck exports could eventually exceed domestic sales.

The growth also reflects a change in how Chinese truck makers approach overseas markets. Instead of relying only on complete vehicle exports, more companies are building local production facilities, expanding sales and service networks, and working more closely with local partners.

In September, Chinese truck makers made progress across Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Their latest moves included new orders, local assembly projects, electric truck launches and plans to expand local operations.

FOTON: 13 Millionth Vehicle Delivered as AUMAN GALAXY 9 Enters Spain

At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, in mid-September, FOTON showcased a wide range of products and marked the delivery of its 13 millionth vehicle worldwide.

The vehicle was the AUMAN GALAXY 9 heavy-duty truck. After completing road tests in Spain, the model entered the Spanish market. The move marks an important step in FOTON's efforts to enter Europe's high-end long-haul transport market and compete with established international truck brands.

FOTON also announced its European strategy at the event. The company aims to generate 40% of its business internationally by 2030. Europe is a key market in BAIC FOTON's global expansion plans and will play an important role in strengthening its brand and expanding its international business.

FOTON plans to adapt its products to local needs, offer more complete commercial vehicle solutions, and work more closely with local partners.

The company plans to establish one local technical center in Europe. By 2028, it aims to cover major European markets with its sales and service network and begin local vehicle assembly. It also plans to establish more local subsidiaries to better support European customers.

FAW TRUCKS: J7 Flagship Model Set for European Delivery

At IAA Transportation 2026, FAW TRUCKS presented its TL.X advanced concept truck for the first time worldwide.

The company also announced that its CORTRON CS model, which appears to be the J7 Flagship Edition based on its exterior design, is set to enter the European market and begin customer deliveries.

FAW TRUCKS reported three other overseas business developments in September.

First, 78 Tiger VR light trucks were prepared for shipment to Southeast Asia. Their narrow bodies and small turning radius make them suitable for city streets and rural roads with limited space.

Second, FAW TRUCKS' South African subsidiary, through its Zambia office, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a major Zambian logistics company. The agreement includes an order for 100 JH6 tractor trucks.

Third, FAW TRUCKS secured another batch order from a major Nigerian transport company. A total of 100 6×4 tractor trucks will be shipped to Nigeria.

The trucks have been developed and adapted for local operating conditions, including difficult roads, high temperatures and dust during the dry season, and high humidity and heavy rain during the rainy season. They will be used for long-distance transport of fast-moving consumer goods.

DONGFENG COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: First Truck Rolls Off Southeast Asian Local Assembly Line

From September 25 to 26, DONGFENG Import & Export's overseas business division for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles held its 2026 Southeast Asia regional meeting, a first-vehicle rollout event at its local plant, and a new product presentation.

Partners from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan and other markets attended the events to discuss the company's next stage of development in Southeast Asia.

Since the beginning of 2026, DONGFENG Commercial Vehicles' medium- and heavy-duty truck sales in Southeast Asia have increased 188% year on year.

The first truck rolling off the local assembly line marks a new stage in the company's cooperation with regional partners.

The plant is an important part of DONGFENG Import & Export's global expansion strategy. Local production is expected to help the company respond more quickly to customer needs, shorten delivery times and reduce cross-border logistics costs.

It will also support the local development of production technology, manufacturing processes, management practices and workforce skills.

SANY TRUCK: First Electric Heavy-Duty Truck Rolls Off Turkish KD Assembly Line

SANY TRUCK designated September as its European market expansion month. In addition to exhibiting at IAA Transportation 2026 in Germany, the company held a market launch event in Türkiye with strategic partner FMT on September 9.

At the event, SANY TRUCK launched its SE636 electric heavy-duty truck, introduced its dealer and sales and service network in Türkiye, and presented the first electric heavy-duty truck assembled at its local KD plant.

Türkiye's location between Europe and Asia makes it a potential gateway to European markets and a base for expansion into Central Asia and the Middle East. By developing local assembly, distribution and service operations, SANY TRUCK aims to strengthen its ability to serve overseas customers.

The company said it took only 15 days to move from trial-production readiness to the rollout of the first vehicles.

The KD plant is planned to have an annual production capacity of 2,000 vehicles, with estimated annual output value of about US$400 million.

In the future, SANY TRUCK plans to produce a wider range of commercial vehicles in Türkiye, including light trucks and cargo trucks, based on local demand. These vehicles will serve logistics, construction and transportation applications.

DONGFENG LIUZHOU MOTOR: Vietnam KD Plant Planned for 1,500 Vehicles a Year

In mid-September, at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo, DONGFENG LIUZHOU MOTOR signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a Vietnamese partner to establish a KD assembly plant in Vietnam.

The plant is planned to have an annual production capacity of 1,500 vehicles, with annual sales also targeted at 1,500 units. Its estimated annual output value is RMB 210 million.

The project will be the first KD plant for the company's CHENGLONG brand in ASEAN. It marks a shift from exporting complete vehicles to developing local production in the region.

A representative of DONGFENG LIUZHOU MOTOR's import and export company said at the TEDA Automotive Forum that Chinese brands had recorded strong sales growth in Vietnam's medium- and heavy-duty truck market for three consecutive years. The market is expected to reach 60,000 units in 2026, with further growth opportunities over the next five to ten years.

DONGFENG LIUZHOU MOTOR already has a leading market position in Vietnam. The new plant is expected to help the company serve local customers more closely and expand its Southeast Asian business.

SHACMAN: Signs Deal for 500 Heavy-Duty Trucks in Saudi Arabia

In late September, SHACMAN announced through its official WeChat account that it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with a major Saudi logistics company covering 500 heavy-duty trucks.

The two parties will cooperate in vehicle sales, market development, after-sales service and spare parts supply.

SHACMAN will provide after-sales support and technical services to help the customer's fleet operate efficiently. The partners will also work together on brand promotion, customer training and resource sharing as they expand their business in the Middle East.

C&C TRUCKS: First Customer Vehicle Delivered for Africa-Europe Transport Corridor

At IAA Transportation 2026, C&C Trucks, part of Chery Commercial Vehicle, presented an integrated transport solution for international markets.

The company introduced two new models: the Electric Phoenix battery-electric heavy-duty truck and the Cloud Phoenix range-extended heavy-duty truck. It also showcased a combined solution covering vehicles, solar power, energy storage, charging and battery swapping.

During the event, C&C Trucks delivered the first customer vehicle for its Africa-Europe transport corridor project and signed a strategic cooperation agreement.

The delivery marks a move from product launches to actual customer operations in overseas markets.

C&C Trucks took only four months to develop and deliver a vehicle based on the overseas customer's customized requirements. This demonstrates its ability to respond quickly to specific customer needs.

Under the cooperation plan, the overseas partner will build battery-swapping stations every 450–500 kilometers along the transport corridor.

During the initial stage, cross-border operations will mainly use range-extended trucks. As battery-swapping stations, solar power and energy storage facilities are developed along the route, the fleet is expected to gradually shift to battery-electric operation.

XCMG: Expands Partnerships and Local Production Plans in Europe

During IAA Transportation 2026 in September, XCMG worked with partners across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Türkiye to expand its European business.

The cooperation covers local KD assembly, market development, and the establishment of sales and service networks.

In Türkiye, XCMG held discussions with a major local customer about product applications, market demand and local operations, and signed a strategic cooperation agreement.

In Austria, the company visited local factories to explore opportunities for KD assembly and future manufacturing cooperation.

In the Netherlands, XCMG met with shipping and logistics companies and reached a common understanding on future cooperation in logistics services.

Together, these activities cover several key areas of overseas expansion, from introducing products to local markets to developing production and operating networks.

XCMG also plans to provide integrated green transport solutions for overseas customers. These will cover vehicle selection, energy supply planning, connected vehicle management and services throughout the vehicle life cycle. By bringing vehicles, charging infrastructure, digital management and services together, the company aims to offer customers more complete transport solutions.

SKYWORTH: Secures Orders Across Multiple Overseas Markets

On the opening day of IAA Transportation 2026, SKYWORTH made its first appearance at the show and signed a series of purchase orders and strategic cooperation agreements with partners from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Central Asia.

The agreements cover battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, light trucks, vans, buses and local KD assembly projects.

The electric commercial vehicle orders are intended for long-haul transport and urban delivery. Bus projects will support the shift toward electric public transport. The partners will also cooperate on knocked-down vehicle exports and local assembly.

The agreements go beyond vehicle supply. They also cover after-sales service, remote data management, financing support and local operations.

These projects mark another step in SKYWORTH's overseas expansion, from exporting vehicles to providing technology and broader transport solutions.

QINGLING MOTORS: Ships 50 Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks to Vietnam; Customer Plans More Orders in 2027

Following the delivery of its first KD vehicles to Africa on August 21 and progress on its Nigeria KD project, QINGLING MOTORS reached another milestone in September.

On September 8, the company held a ceremony at the QINGLING Group New Energy R&D Building to mark the export of its first batch of EVC61 new energy tractor trucks to Vietnam and the launch of a cross-border logistics supply chain platform.

In 2025, QINGLING exported its first two EVC electric tractor trucks to Vietnam for real-world operating tests. The delivery of 50 EVC61 new energy tractor trucks to Vietnam's Haoxing Group marks a shift from pilot operations to larger-scale use in the Vietnamese market.

The launch of the cross-border logistics platform also expands QINGLING's overseas strategy beyond vehicle exports to include logistics support.

To keep its overseas vehicles running reliably throughout their service life, QINGLING has formed a dedicated team covering development, quality, after-sales service and marketing. It has also established local service support, advance spare parts supply, technical training and rapid response systems.

QINGLING Group is also deepening its cooperation with Chongqing Highway Transportation Group. The two companies will combine their industrial and logistics resources to develop a cross-border logistics supply chain platform covering scheduled road transport and multimodal transport routes.

At the event, Vietnam's Haoxing Group said it planned to purchase another 10 electric tractor trucks for short-distance transport and intended to increase its purchases further in 2027.

Separately, VM won a Vietnamese waste transport vehicle project and placed an order for more than 70 Q-series light trucks from QINGLING. The partners plan to explore further opportunities in port transport, long-haul logistics and sanitation services.

BEIBEN TRUCKS: Starts Production of 30 Customized Heavy-Duty Trucks for Indonesia

On September 4, BEIBEN TRUCKS began mass production of 30 high-horsepower heavy-duty trucks customized for the Indonesian market.

The project moved forward after the company received the batch production request on May 6. BEIBEN quickly completed powertrain selection, vehicle customization, prototype production and testing, while maintaining strict quality controls.

The project demonstrates the company's ability to develop customized vehicles for overseas customers, adapt trucks to local operating conditions and move quickly into mass production.

It also gives BEIBEN more experience in Southeast Asia and supports its plans to expand into additional overseas heavy-duty truck markets.

DONGFENG PICKUP: Ships 273 Pickups to Saudi Arabia and Wins 500-Unit Order in Ghana

DONGFENG PICKUP recorded two major overseas business developments in September, with new business in Saudi Arabia and Ghana.

In early September, according to DONGFENG Import & Export, 273 DONGFENG pickups were shipped to Saudi Arabia. The order came from a major Saudi rental company, and the vehicles will be used in its rental fleet.

The pickups are intended for demanding operating conditions, including long-distance travel in desert areas and frequent use on difficult roads. DONGFENG coordinated the project to meet the delivery schedule and ship all 273 vehicles on time.

In late September, DONGFENG's overseas pickup business team visited Ghana to assess the local market and discuss fourth-quarter sales plans with its partners. The visit resulted in an order for 500 pickups.

The team worked with its local partners to assess market size, customer demand and existing distribution capacity. The goal is to make the most of the year-end sales period and increase deliveries.

The partners also confirmed the specifications of models planned for introduction in 2027 and discussed future market growth and resource allocation. These steps are intended to support the company's longer-term development in Ghana.

Outlook: Overseas Markets Become More Important for Chinese Truck Makers

As competition in China's domestic market grows, overseas markets are becoming increasingly important to Chinese truck makers.

Developments in September show that companies are doing more than increasing vehicle exports. They are also building local factories, expanding sales and service networks, and forming closer partnerships with local businesses.

Product adaptation, local production, after-sales support and logistics are becoming key parts of their international strategies.

Changes in export tax policy may also affect the market in the coming months. China's Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration recently announced that the export VAT rebate rate for new energy vehicles will fall from 13% to 9%, effective April 1, 2027.

The change may encourage some companies to bring forward export shipments before the new rate takes effect. This could support export activity over the next six months, although the actual impact will depend on market demand and companies' shipping plans. Fourth-quarter truck exports could reach a new high if the current growth trend continues.

For Chinese truck makers, long-term success overseas will depend not only on how many vehicles they export, but also on their ability to build reliable sales channels, local production capacity and service networks.

Views:0