Truck Exports Surge More Than 50% in September, Who Will Be the Next Globalization "Dark Horse"?

[First Commercial Vehicle Network Original]

This September, the domestic and export markets for commercial vehicles showed two contrasting worlds. According to CAAM data, domestic commercial vehicle sales reached 235,000 units in September, a year-on-year decline of 14.6%; export sales are surging, reaching 133,000 units, a significant year-on-year increase of 44.3%.

Most notably was the truck export performance: In September 2026, truck export sales reached 118,000 units, only 77,000 units lower than domestic sales. Export year-on-year growth was as high as 51.5%, 7.2 percentage points higher than overall commercial vehicle exports. Following this trend, truck export sales surpassing domestic sales could be imminent.

Behind the impressive export performance is a collective leap by the entire industry from "product going global" to "system rooting". In the just passed September, the truck industry made constant major moves overseas. The heat has spread from the Southeast Asia and African markets to the European market, with multiple enterprises accelerating the layout of localized production. Let's take a closer look!

Foton Auto: 13 Millionth Vehicle Globally Delivered, Auman Galaxy 9 Lands in Spain

At the Hanover Motor Show held in mid-September, Foton Auto showcased its full matrix strength and held the global 13 millionth vehicle delivery ceremony. The delivery model was the Auman Galaxy 9. The vehicle had completed field tests in Spain, breaking the brand barrier in the high-end truck logistics market overseas and successfully landing in the Spanish market. This marks that Chinese high-end heavy trucks are now capable of competing on the same stage with international first-line brands.

At the press conference, Foton Auto released its European strategy in a major way. Previously, Foton Motor had confirmed a development goal of 40% internationalization rate by 2030. Europe, as the core hub market of Foton Motor's globalization strategy, became the key position for its brand upgrading and internationalization advancement.

According to disclosures, Foton Auto will steadily establish localized system capabilities in the European market from three dimensions: local adaptation, overall ecosystem solution capability construction, and cooperative co-construction with deep local operation, to systematically serve European commercial vehicle users. Among them, regarding localization, it plans to build 1 European local technology center, plan to achieve coverage of sales and service networks in major European markets and realize local assembly in Europe by 2028, and plan to establish more local subsidiaries to support serving European customers, etc.

FAW Jiefang: J7 Pioneer Edition to be Delivered to European Market

At the 2026 Hanover Motor Show, the TL.X forward-looking concept truck, globally launched by FAW Jiefang, was impressive. On this top European stage, FAW Jiefang revealed that its CORTRON CS (looks like J7 Pioneer Edition from the appearance) will land in the European market and realize formal delivery.

In addition, the 3 export order news spread by FAW Jiefang in September was also quite noteworthy. First, Jiefang's 78 Tiger VR light trucks completed warehousing, starting to ship to Southeast Asia. The vehicles adopt narrow body bodies, small turning radius, flexible maneuvering, precisely adapting to the complex driving environment of local city blocks and town roads. Second, FAW South Africa Company's Zambia Office reached a strategic cooperation with a large local logistics enterprise in Zambia, signing a 100-unit JH6 tractor purchase agreement. Third, FAW Jiefang reached batch delivery with a top local transport enterprise in Nigeria again. 100 units of 6x4 tractors were shipped to Nigeria. The vehicles were designed and manufactured and locally adapted for the operating environment in Nigeria with complex road conditions in some areas, high temperature and dust in the dry season, and high humidity and rain in the rainy season. They will be put into local FMCG fast consumer goods trunk transport business.

Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle: First Car Goes Off the Line at Southeast Asia Localized Factory, Starting a New Journey!

From September 25 to 26, Dongfeng Import & Export Heavy Commercial Vehicle Overseas Division 2026 Southeast Asia Regional Work Conference, First Car Goes Off the Line at Localized Factory, and New Product Tasting Activity were held successively in Southeast Asia. Partner representatives from markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, etc. gathered together to jointly start a new journey of localized development.

It is learned that since the beginning of this year, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Southeast Asia Region heavy and medium truck sales achieved a year-on-year growth of 188%, and the regional market expansion results were significant. With the first car going off the line at the Southeast Asia localized factory, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle and Southeast Asia local partners' collaboration has entered a new stage. The Southeast Asia localized factory is a key fulcrum of Dongfeng Import & Export's globalization strategy. After the factory goes into production, localized production will be closer to the terminal market and customer needs, greatly shortening the whole vehicle delivery cycle, reducing cross-border logistics costs, promoting the localization precipitation of technology, craftsmanship, management, talents, etc., and forming a new pattern of manufacturing origin and development heart with local partners.

SANY Heavy Truck: First Electric Heavy Truck Goes Off the Line at Turkey KD Factory, Further Expansion in European Market!

In September, SANY Heavy Truck defined "European Market Expansion Month". Besides going to the Hanover Motor Show in Germany, SANY Heavy Truck also held a Turkey market press conference with strategic partner FMT on September 9, simultaneously completing the SE636 electric heavy truck product release, Turkey dealer and sales service network launch, and the first electric heavy truck going off the line at the KD factory.

For car companies trying to enter Europe, Turkey, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is both a gateway to Europe and a jumping board to radiate Central Asia and the Middle East. SANY Heavy Truck landing in Turkey this time, through the construction of KD factories, distribution networks, and service systems, further improves local capabilities in overseas business.

It is learned that the factory only took 15 days from having trial production conditions to the first batch of products going off the line. The speed was quite rare in Turkey's manufacturing industry. According to the plan, the annual capacity of this KD factory reaches 2,000 units, and the expected annual output value is about 400 million USD. In the future, SANY Heavy Truck will also produce light trucks, cargo trucks, and other full-series commercial vehicle products in Turkey according to local market demand, covering logistics, engineering, transportation, and other application scenarios.

Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Chelong: Vietnam KD Factory Project Signed, Planned Annual Capacity 1,500 Units

At the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo held in mid-September, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor reached a strategic cooperation agreement for Vietnam KD Factory with Vietnam partners. Both parties plan to jointly invest and build a KD (Knocked Down) factory in Vietnam, with a planned annual capacity and annual sales of 1,500 units, and expected to achieve an annual output value of 210 million RMB. This factory is Chelong brand's first KD factory in ASEAN, marking that Chelong brand has entered a new stage of localized deep plowing in the ASEAN market from whole vehicle export.

According to a relevant person in charge of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Import & Export Company revealed at the Teda Auto Forum, Chinese brands in the Vietnam heavy and medium truck market sales have maintained high growth for three consecutive years. It is expected that 2026 sales will reach 60,000 units, and the development space in the next 5-10 years is broad. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, which has a leading market share in the Vietnam market, landing the Vietnam KD factory project this time is timely.

Shacman Heavy Truck: Secured 500-Unit Order from Large Saudi Client!

Later in September, according to Shacman Speed WeChat official account news, Shacman Heavy Truck reached strategic cooperation with a large Saudi logistics enterprise, and completed a 500-unit heavy truck strategic signing. Both parties will carry out all-round collaboration around truck sales, market development, after-sales service, and parts supply. Shacman will escort the logistics fleet to operate efficiently with a perfect after-sales system and technical guarantee, and deepen brand promotion, customer training, and other resource interconnection, to jointly open a new chapter of the Middle East market.

Unimac Heavy Truck: First Customer Vehicle Delivered on Non-Europe Transport Corridor

At the Hanover Motor Show in Germany, Chery Commercial Vehicle's Unimac Heavy Truck made a gorgeous appearance, released the global integrated capacity solution, launched two new models for the international market, Electric Phoenix pure electric heavy truck and Cloud Phoenix range extended heavy truck, and displayed the integrated solution of "vehicle, light, storage, charging, swapping". At the same time, Unimac Heavy Truck held the first customer vehicle delivery on the C&C Non-Europe Transport Corridor and strategic cooperation signing ceremony on site. This marks that its globalization development has moved from product release to customer real operation landing.

Regarding the first customer vehicle delivery on the Non-Europe Transport Corridor, from the overseas customer proposing custom requirements to completing the vehicle landing, Unimac Heavy Truck only took 4 months to transform the customer's concept into a real vehicle ready for actual operation, showing strong rapid custom development capabilities. Overseas partners will rely on Unimac Heavy Truck's integrated capacity solution. A charging/swapping station will be laid out every 450-500 km along the Non-Europe Transport Corridor. In the early stage of the project, cross-border business prioritizes putting the Cloud Phoenix range extended model into operation. As the along-line charging/swapping stations and photovoltaic energy storage supporting facilities are gradually improved, the subsequent fleet will smoothly transition to pure electric operation models.

XCMG Automobile: Multiple Strategic Cooperation Land Rapidly in Europe

During the September Hanover Motor Show, XCMG Automobile actively linked with overseas partners. Deepening in Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and Turkey markets proceeded synchronously. Around KD localized production, key market expansion, and sales service network construction, XCMG Automobile multiple strategic cooperation accelerated, and European localization layout took solid steps.

Among them, XCMG Automobile and Turkey large clients deepened exchanges around product application, market demand, and local layout, and signed strategic cooperation agreements. In Austria, XCMG team visited local factories on site, carried out inspections and exchanges around KD localized production matters, accumulating conditions for subsequent industrial synergy. In the Netherlands, the team visited local shipping and logistics enterprises, and reached strategic cooperation consensus on subsequent logistics business.

From signing at the German exhibition to production inspection in Austria, business synergy in Netherlands, and key market expansion in Turkey, a series of cooperation results gradually string together key links such as product introduction, localized production, and market operation for XCMG Automobile in the European market. XCMG also provides customers with green transportation complete set solutions, integrating vehicle selection, recharging planning, IoV management, and full lifecycle services, with the "vehicle-pole-network-service" ecosystem to support expanding overseas markets.

Skyworth Automobile: Secured Thousand-Unit Overseas Orders

On the opening day of the Hanover Motor Show, participating for the first time, Skyworth Automobile signed centralized agreements with partners from Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Central Asia, and other overseas markets, reaching a series of procurement orders and strategic cooperation intentions, covering pure electric heavy trucks, light trucks, VANS, buses, and KD localized assembly and other categories.

Among signed projects, there are pure electric commercial vehicle orders for trunk logistics and urban distribution, bus cooperation to help overseas public transport electrification transformation, and also diversified models such as KD parts export and localized assembly. This centralized signing not only involves vehicle supply but also covers after-sales service systems, remote data management platforms, financing support, and localized operation and other one-stop solutions. This signing marks that Skyworth Automobile has taken solid steps from product going global to technology going global and solution going global.

Qingling Motors: 50 Units New Energy Heavy Trucks Exported to Vietnam, Customer Plans 2027 Larger Scale Procurement

Following the first delivery of Qingling KD export to Africa on August 21 and the efficient landing of Nigeria KD project, Qingling Motors welcomed another important milestone moment in the overseas market.

On September 8, Qingling's first batch of new energy EVC61 tractors exported to Vietnam and cross-border logistics supply chain platform launch ceremony was held at Qingling Group new energy R&D building. It is introduced that in 2025, Qingling's first batch of 2 units of EVC electric tractor exported to Vietnam completed field trial operation. This time, 50 units of EVC61 new energy tractor delivery to Vietnam Haoxing Group marks that Qingling electric commercial vehicles have officially entered a new stage of scaled operation in the Vietnam market from pilot verification stage. The enablement of the cross-border logistics platform marks that Qingling has moved from product going global to system going global.

To guarantee stable operation of overseas market vehicles throughout the lifecycle, Qingling has formed a special guarantee team composed of development, quality, after-sales, and marketing, established stationed service, spare parts frontloading, localized technical training, and rapid response mechanisms to fully support efficient vehicle operation. At the same time, Qingling Group and Chongqing Highway Transportation (Group) deepened industrial cooperation, relied on both parties' industrial advantages and comprehensive logistics resources, jointly built a cross-border logistics supply chain platform, coordinated cross-border highway bus and multimodal transport channels, to provide system logistics support for Qingling expanding overseas markets.

At the event site, Vietnam Haoxing Group planned to add purchase of 10 electric tractors for short-line operation, and planned 2027 larger scale procurement. At the same time, VM Company successfully bid for the Vietnam garbage transport vehicle project, issued a 70+ units of Q series light truck purchase order to Qingling. In the future, it will explore opportunities in ports, trunks, sanitation, and other diverse scenarios, to work together to make the Vietnam new energy commercial vehicle market larger.

Beiben Heavy Truck: Indonesia Batch Custom Heavy Trucks Land and Put into Production

On September 4, the 30-unit Indonesia market high-power heavy truck order undertaken by Beiben Heavy Truck officially started batch production, marking key breakthroughs in landing overseas market strategic layout. It is learned that since May 6, receiving batch production requirements, the company responded quickly, firmly built product quality defense line from the source, with extreme efficient siege attitude, steadily completed power system selection, whole vehicle custom upgrade, prototype trial production, and test verification full process work.

This 30-unit Indonesia custom heavy truck project's rapid landing and high-quality delivery fully verified Beiben high-power heavy truck product overseas condition adaptability, custom R&D strength, and scaled production capacity. At the same time, it also accumulated precious practical experience for its deep plowing of the Southeast Asia market and expanding international development landscape, laying a solid foundation for continuously expanding overseas high-end heavy truck market.

Dongfeng Pickup: 273 Units Shipped to Saudi Arabia, Secured 500-Unit Order in Ghana, Sprinting for the Fourth Quarter!

In September, Dongfeng Pickup overseas business exploded with two big orders. First, early in September, according to Dongfeng Import & Export Company news, 273 units of Dongfeng Pickup departed for the Saudi Arabia market, which is another landmark practice of Dongfeng Import & Export practicing "Whole Supply Synergy" strategy, and also an important batch delivery result of deep plowing the Middle East market. This batch of orders came from a top Saudi car rental company. The delivery vehicles will be put into Saudi car rental operation comprehensively. Customer scenarios cover desert long-distance shuttle, complex road condition frequent turnover, and other severe working conditions. In the process of this order from landing to delivery, Dongfeng guaranteed project nodes with unexpected execution, ensuring 273 vehicles departed on time, running "acceleration" in the overseas market.

Second, late in September, according to Dongfeng Import & Export Company news, the Pickup Overseas Business Division went deep into the Ghana market front line. Collecting first-hand materials with local partners around the fourth-quarter task, it successfully secured a 500-unit order, further consolidating the West Africa market foundation. It is learned that the Dongfeng Pickup overseas team combined the Ghana local market capacity, consumption characteristics, and existing channel bearing capacity, fully assessed market trends with partners, grasped the end-of-year market window period to strive for sales breakthroughs. At the same time, completed 2027 full-year import model configuration confirmation, predicted market growth rhythm and resource investment direction, to anchor the direction for medium and long-term market development.

Conclusion

In the domestic stock competition environment, the overseas market has become the place "all strategists must fight for". In the future, perhaps "those who get the overseas market get the world" will become the maxim for the commercial vehicle market. And the new policy released by the Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration recently explicitly states that starting from April 1, 2027, the new energy vehicle export tax refund rate will be reduced from the current 13% to 9%. This will promote the next 6 months of domestic truck exports to usher in a new peak of concentrated release. The fourth quarter export scale is expected to create a new historical high.