Sinotruk drives R&D in China’s commercial vehicle industry

A heavy-duty truck industry leader in China for over 40 years, Sinotruk continues to drive research and development efforts in the country’s commercial vehicle sector as it launches the Sitrak heavy-duty truck in South Africa.

Sinotruk’s rich research and development (R&D) heritage is founded on the leading role it played in helping to create China’s heavy-duty truck (HDT) industry. In 1983, Sinotruk formed a partnership with German manufacturer Steyr, laying the groundwork for the development of China’s HDT industry. This initiative was the first technology introduction project to be approved by the Chinese government, signalling Sinotruk’s commitment to the evolution of commercial vehicles in the country.

More recently, Sinotruk completed construction on China’s only National Research Centre for HDT Engineering and Technology in 2015 and moved its headquarters into Sinotruk Tower. Based in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in Eastern China, the new headquarters houses the largest production base for HDTs in China. This relocation of its operations base highlighted Sinotruk’s ambitions, as Jinan is a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub. It also ranks in the world’s top 40 cities for scientific research, according to the Nature Index 2022 Science Cities.

As well as being the proprietors of the country’s sole National Research Center for HDT Engineering and Technology, Sinotruk also runs one of China’s first National Enterprise Technology Research Centres, as well as a National Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre for HDTs. These are part of Sinotruk’s three-in-one Science and Technology Centre Project, covering 348,000m² total floorspace.

Employing over 3,500 R&D professionals, the company has an impressive R&D capacity, incorporating a four-in-one innovation system based on open, craftsman, independent, and basic research innovation. Its eight test laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art and precision equipment in processing, experiments, and testing, and are certified by the China National Accreditation Committee for Laboratories. These laboratories are designated for vehicles, engine emissions, engine performance and durability, tensile strength and performance for assembly components, electronics, materials, and new energy respectively.

The company conducts a wide range of scientific tests to a world-class standard, including drum dynamometer brake testing in its high and low temperature environmental lab, vehicle road simulation tests in its strength lab, and a tilting test bench in its engine lab, which allows valves to be tested in vertical, horizontal, and inclined positions to simulate real-world work. A semi-anechoic chamber in the engine emission lab enables Sinotruk’s engineers to ensure environmental standards are met, while the electronic and electrical laboratory houses its own photometric characteristics lab for analysing the radiation characteristics of all luminaire types and creating light distribution curves.

Sinotruk’s vehicle laboratory’s auto rollover test bench greatly enhances vehicle design testing, while the parts laboratory’s integrated performance test bench ensures every vehicle component is rigorously tested and optimised.

With this wealth of R&D infrastructure, Sinotruk is well-placed to bring its commercial vehicles to the attention of international audiences, but the company is not resting on its laurels: R&D investment reached 3.7 billion yuan (roughly R9.25 billion) in 2021, and is an ongoing priority.