【Text by Observers Net, Wang Yi】As the global automotive industry is undergoing a "rearrangement", Chinese manufacturing is aiming at overseas markets and actively "going out".

On September 24, the Financial Times reported that Sany Group, China's largest electric truck manufacturer, said it will significantly expand its overseas market presence, striving to have half of its sales revenue come from overseas by 2030, challenging traditional heavy truck industries abroad. In addition, Chinese automakers such as BYD and Beiqi Foton have already shipped trucks to countries such as Italy, Poland, Spain, and Mexico for sale, and are actively seeking to build assembly plants abroad.

"We have already seen the rapid development of the overseas market." However, Liang Linye, chairman of Sany Group's heavy truck division, also added that the biggest challenge in promoting electric trucks in overseas markets is that many countries' power infrastructure lags behind China's.

Sany Group officially entered the electric truck field in 2021, having invested approximately 22 billion yuan in this business, capturing 16% of the domestic market. It is expected that the annual sales of electric trucks will reach 30,000 units by 2025, with most of them sold in China.

Electric trucks are becoming increasingly popular in China. Data from the First Commercial Vehicle Network of China shows that in the first eight months of this year, the share of diesel truck sales has dropped to 51%, compared to 75% during the same period in 2023. At the same time, the penetration rate of electric trucks has risen from 4% two years ago to 24%.

The Financial Times analysis pointed out that the sharp decline in battery costs, improved range, and government subsidies provided to truck fleets have all helped Chinese electric truck manufacturers quickly achieve scale. Industry insiders predict that within three years, electric trucks will account for 50% of the market in China.

China leads in electric truck sales, Bloomberg chart

In the overseas market, Chinese engineering machinery giants need to compete with American Caterpillar Company and Japanese Komatsu Co., Ltd. in the truck business.

According to a previous report by the South China Morning Post, Chinese automakers such as BYD and Beiqi Foton have already shipped trucks to countries such as Italy, Poland, Spain, and Mexico for sale. Faced with measures such as U.S. and European tariffs and trade barriers, Chinese manufacturers have also started to respond by building new factories around the world.

Weidu Technology, an electric truck manufacturer, said that they originated from China and are now consciously expanding their business to multiple countries, and moved their headquarters to Belgium earlier this year. The company is building a factory in northern France and plans to open a new factory in the United States in 2027.

In June this year, Chinese electric truck manufacturer Subao Technology announced its "Dual Track Empowerment" global strategy upgrade plan for 2025–2030, through cooperation with global整车 manufacturers, providing electric heavy truck solutions. The company signed a joint development agreement with Austrian heavy industrial enterprise Steyr Automotive, leveraging its local production capacity in Europe to achieve localized vehicle models.

Sany Group's factory in South Africa has been operational this year, and it is currently selecting a site for a Brazilian factory, with the European market already launched for sale. As part of its plan to enter the European market, the group is also discussing new collaborations with German Putzmeister, which it acquired in 2012.

The Financial Times reported that to avoid so-called dumping disputes, the overseas sales strategies of Chinese electric trucks are similar to those of leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, raising the prices of their products in overseas markets, a move that also ensures profit margins.

Liang Linye explained that raising the price in overseas markets is to avoid being accused of "dumping" by those with malicious intentions, "otherwise, someone might say we are dumping, thus attracting some sanctions".

Christopher Doleman from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis stated that Chinese electric trucks are following a similar path to electric vehicles: under the background of fierce domestic market competition, shifting to an export-oriented growth model to fully utilize production capacity and maintain profitability. The target market for the Chinese electric truck industry is all countries that have started to reduce their reliance on oil and diesel.

Bloomberg News on the 24th pointed out that about 4% of the global heavy and medium truck sales this year are electric models, but the proportion of electric truck sales may be higher in some European countries. The carbon emission targets set for trucks in Europe will take effect in 2025, which will significantly increase the adoption rate of electric trucks.

However, Cassie Liu, analyst at S&P Global Mobility, believes that the high purchase cost of electric heavy trucks still poses a barrier for the transportation market dominated by individual owners. Her team predicts that diesel trucks will remain dominant at least until 2032.

Bloomberg analysis stated that although due to strict working cycles, thin profits, and uncertainties, the adoption rate of electric trucks is about five years behind that of passenger cars, many problems are gradually being solved through more affordable batteries, more complete charging infrastructure, and accumulating experience in fleet operations.

This aligns with Liang Linye's judgment. He said that as the industry accelerates integration, individual owners will gradually be incorporated into large fleets, and the transition to electrification is irreversible.

Liang Linye also revealed that Sany Group invests about 8% of its annual revenue in battery production, photovoltaic battery swapping charging networks across China, and R&D of autonomous driving technology, "this is our core technology, and overseas partners including the United States have shown strong interest".

This article is an exclusive piece by Observers Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553642288237298227/

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