Sinotruk retains positive sales momentum in overseas market

The models received a favorable market response when they officially entered the global market in 2013 due to their high performance and safety, combined with low fuel consumption and low emissions.

The Sitrak C7H model, equipped with an electronically controlled air suspension system, 540-horsepower diesel engine and a smart management system, was an eye-catcher at the Auto Shanghai 2015, one of the country's top motoring events.

"Adopting the same production lines and quality standard as MAN, it is the largest horsepower heavy commercial vehicle so far sold in the domestic market," Cai said.

He added that the smart management system independently developed by Sinotruk is favored by many logistics companies. Its functions include navigation, remote diagnostics and fleet management, through collecting the vehicle's operating data and tracking it in real time.

With the high-end Howo and Sitrak trucks, Sinotruk is extending its sales network to developed countries, said Liu Wei, vice-general manager of Sinotruk in charge of overseas business.

"At first we mostly sold products to developing regions such as the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, but now we are working to tap into high-end markets in developed countries such as Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore," Liu said.

"The Howo and Sitrak trucks have a stable client group in the high-end markets thanks to their high performance and lower price tag compared with foreign brands," he said.

Howo and Sitrak vehicles that meet the Euro V emission standards have been exported to Brazil, and sold to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"This year about 400 Sitrak heavy trucks will be sold in Taiwan alone, which is expected to account for a 20-percent share of the high-end market known for its strict rules on emissions," Liu said.

"With the rise of public awareness of environmental protection, this environmentally friendly high-end truck will become our new driver of sales growth in the future," he said.

Sinotruk will focus on vehicles with the state-of-the-art MAN's technology this year, with their output and sales expected to account for more than one-third of the company's total. Meanwhile, it aims to increase its exports to 30 percent of the total, up from the current 20 percent.