With the continuous upgrading of China's manufacturing industry andthe deepening of its globalization strategy, commercial vehicleexports have become a new highlight of China's foreign trade growth,opening up a new profit track for foreign trade enterprises. Thelatest industry data shows that in 2025, China's commercial vehicleexports reached 1.06 million units, a year-on-year increase of 17.2%,exceeding one million units for the first time and achieving a leapfrom "scale expansion" to "quality improvement."Exports of new energy commercial vehicles reached 83,000 units, ayear-on-year increase of 86.8%, far exceeding the growth rate offuel-powered commercial vehicles, becoming a new engine for exportgrowth. Since the beginning of 2026, the export momentum has remainedstrong. In January and February, commercial vehicle exports reached178,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 22.4%, of which truckexports reached 152,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 20.9%.Light trucks/mini-trucks, as the core growth models, continue to bepopular in overseas markets due to their flexible adaptability andoutstanding cost-effectiveness, becoming a key breakthrough forforeign trade enterprises in developing commercial vehicle exports.
For foreign trade enterprises, the explosive growth in commercialvehicle exports is driven by a confluence of factors, with theoutstanding performance of light trucks and new energy commercialvehicles providing a clear direction for their foreign tradebusiness. From a market demand perspective, the rapid development ofthe global logistics industry and the continuous advancement ofinfrastructure construction have fueled steady growth in demand forcommercial vehicles. Especially in emerging markets, light trucks,with their flexible size, moderate load capacity, and good fueleconomy, are perfectly suited for urban short-distance delivery,rural logistics, and small-scale engineering transportation, becomingthe mainstay models in the local logistics industry. For example, inSoutheast Asia, the accelerated urbanization process and urgent needfor logistics upgrades mean that light trucks, adaptable to hot andhumid climates and complex road conditions, have become popularexport models. In Central Asia, the market is price-sensitive withstrong localization demands. The Changan Kaicheng C35 micro-truck,priced at $18,000, is 40% lower than its Japanese and Koreancompetitors, boasting a 42% localization rate, and received over 500orders in its first month, demonstrating the market competitivenessof light trucks.
The rise of new energy commercial vehicles has brought new growthopportunities to foreign trade enterprises. Driven by global"dual-carbon" goals, countries have introduced policies toencourage the development of new energy vehicles and raise emissionstandards for gasoline vehicles, creating a vast market space for theexport of new energy commercial vehicles. China's new energycommercial vehicles, leveraging their technological advantages andcontrollable costs, have rapidly penetrated overseas markets. In2025, exports of new energy commercial vehicles reached 83,000 units,a year-on-year increase of 86.8%, of which exports of new energylight trucks reached 57,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 163.7%,and exports of plug-in hybrid commercial vehicles reached 43,000units, a year-on-year increase of 269.2%, becoming the core growthpoint for new energy exports. BYD's T35 pure electric mini-truck haslanded in Singapore, priced at 143,000 Singapore dollars(approximately 770,000 RMB), with a range of 367 kilometers.Primarily targeting urban "last mile" logistics, andleveraging BYD's brand accumulation in the Singapore commercialvehicle market (with an electric bus market share exceeding 60%), ithas quickly opened up the market, providing a successful example forforeign trade enterprises to expand into the export of new energymini-trucks.
Foreign trade enterprises' expansion into commercial vehicle exportscannot be separated from the dual guarantees of industrial advantagesand policy support. After years of development, China's commercialvehicle industry has formed a complete industrial chain system, fromcore components to complete vehicle manufacturing, with continuouslyimproving self-sufficiency and significant cost advantages. Comparedwith European and Japanese brands, Chinese commercial vehicles have aclear price advantage, with light trucks and new energy commercialvehicles priced 20%-40% lower than their competitors. Simultaneously,continuous technological breakthroughs have led to sustainedimprovements in electrification and intelligentization, meeting thediverse needs of overseas markets. At the policy level, initiativessuch as the Belt and Road Initiative and the RCEP agreement haveestablished convenient trade channels for commercial vehicle exports,reducing tariff barriers and logistics costs. Domestic support fornew energy vehicle exports has further enhanced the competitivenessof Chinese new energy commercial vehicles in overseas markets.Furthermore, Chinese commercial vehicle companies are acceleratingtheir overseas expansion, establishing five KD factories in countriessuch as Brazil and Myanmar to achieve localized production,effectively circumventing trade barriers, reducing transportationcosts, and providing more convenient supply chain support for foreigntrade enterprises.
From a practical perspective for foreign trade enterprises, expandinginto commercial vehicle exports requires a precise understanding ofmarket demand and effective product positioning and service upgrades.Firstly, it is crucial to segment the market and promote suitablemodels based on the specific needs of different regions. For example,the Southeast Asian and African markets focus on promotingfuel-powered light trucks/mini-trucks, emphasizing cost-effectivenessand localization; the Middle Eastern market promotes high-endfuel-powered and electric light trucks, focusing on quality andemission requirements; and the European and Singaporean marketsprioritize pure electric light trucks, meeting stringent entrystandards and environmental requirements. Secondly, it's crucial toprepare for product certification and compliance. Certificationstandards vary significantly across different countries and regions.Foreign trade companies need to understand local technical standards,emission requirements, and certification processes in advance,assisting manufacturers in completing certifications to ensure smoothmarket entry. For instance, the EU market requires WVTA certificationto meet Euro 7 emission requirements; the Southeast Asian marketrequires SNI, TISI, and other certifications; and the African marketrequires SONCAP and COC certificates.
Service upgrades are key to enhancing the core competitiveness offoreign trade companies. Currently, the export of Chinese commercialvehicles has shifted from "product export" to "serviceexport." Foreign trade companies need to leverage the overseasservice systems of commercial vehicle manufacturers to providecustomers with comprehensive after-sales services, including partssupply, maintenance, and remote diagnostics, thereby improvingcustomer experience.
Foreign trade enterprises venturing into commercial vehicle exportsmust not only recognize the immediate growth potential but alsoprepare for long-term strategic planning. To cope with marketcompetition, the core strategy is to build strong barriers to entryin both product and service; mitigate trade risks; and thoroughlyunderstand policies and operate in compliance with regulations. Onlyby abandoning a "short-term profit-seeking" mentality andfocusing on cultivating the market and refining services can theygain a foothold and achieve sustainable development in the fierceglobal competition.
The strong demand for light trucks and the explosive growth of newenergy vehicles provide foreign trade enterprises with a clear pathto profitability. Currently, the most pragmatic approach is toleverage their own resources, focus on key markets, promoteadvantageous models, ensure certification compliance and after-salesservice, and meticulously manage every order and maintain excellentcustomer relationships. Only through a down-to-earth and preciseapproach can they achieve steady growth in the commercial vehicleexport sector and unlock new possibilities in foreign trade.
Founded in 2010, Hefei King Kangaroo Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.is located in Hefei, capital of China's Anhui Province, and operatesheavy trucks and construction machinery, international trade,financial investment and education.
As the largest exporter of heavy trucks and machinery in centralChina. We have international operations in more than 100 countriesand annual sales of more than $100 million.
It is an important export partner of Sinotruk, ZOOMLION, HELI, SEM,Liugong, Shantui, Heli, Lingong, Hangfork, CIMC, Dongfeng, Foton,Xugong, Sany and other world famous brands, Zoomlion, Heli, CAMC,SDLG, HANGCHA and CIMC, And through a stable customer networkmanagement of spare parts export of these products at home and abroadto enjoy a good reputation.
