Sinotruk continues to grow global network

Having set its sights on the international market, frontrunning Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Sinotruk is pushing to become a major global player.

The company has led the way in its homeland for many years, but it places huge significance on expanding its international operations. Overseas markets (such as South Africa) represent the chance to showcase the best commercial vehicles China has to offer to the world – one of the core tenets of Sinotruk’s strategic vision and the driving force behind its continued focus on building the export business.

Sinotruk exports to over 110 countries globally (including South Africa), and Sinotruk International is responsible for the manufacturer’s logistics and service support and aftermarket management. 

World-class aftersales service is provided worldwide through its regional divisions’ 261 service outlets, which engage directly in overseas sales assignments and are responsible for international market development, growing the distribution network, and customer support. 

Sinotruk’s export business will celebrate its 20^th year in 2024. It has grown substantially over the last decade, skyrocketing in the last couple of years: export numbers ranged between 20,000 and 40,000 units from 2011 to 2020, jumping to 54,050 units in 2021 and then 88,525 units last year.

The manufacturer has ranked first for Chinese heavy truck exports every year between 2004 and 2022, while it is currently the leading Chinese commercial vehicle brand in Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania, the CIS regions, and the Americas (excluding the US and Canada).

Not content to rest on its laurels, Sinotruk has put in place ambitious long-term plans structured across 14 five-year plan periods. This recognises the importance of steady and committed participation in international markets, building consumer trust and brand recognition.

One of its most ambitious goals is to break into the developed markets of the US, Canada, and Europe – where Chinese brands are yet to gain entry – by leveraging its advances in new energy trucks over the 14 planning phases.

Across the other regions the goal is to improve the brand’s standing amongst its global competitors. In South and Central America, the aim is to become one of the top five global brands on the market from a current position of ninth. In Oceania and Taiwan Sinotruk currently ranks seventh, with a goal of attaining fourth spot, while in the Middle East it aims to push on from fifth position to second. 

In Southeast Asia, it currently ranks second amongst global brands and has hopes of dislodging Hino from top spot, while it is also gunning for the top two slots in the CIS region, where it currently ranks fourth. In Africa, Sinotruk is already the top global brand – here, the plan is to focus on high-end products to increase market share.

Sinotruk has a solid overseas production capacity of 10,000 units, with 26 knocked-down plants around the world. For example, it has invested directly in two overseas joint venture (JV) production bases, injecting roughly €12 million in the Uzbekistan JV and about US$5 million in the Nigerian JV. Feasibility analyses are also being conducted for localised investment in Russia, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

As it lays foundations to reinforce its comprehensive global network, Sinotruk is constantly enhancing its product competence. It has already entered several developed country markets and continues to make strides towards establishing itself as a world-class full series commercial vehicle group.