trucks-the howo series from Sinotruk. In the early 2000s, after China's accession to the WTO, logistics demand surged, marking the beginning of rapid development. In 2003, Sinotruk took the lead in partnering with Volvo Trucks, becoming the first player in the industry to pioneer this collaboration. Though brief, this partnership solidified Sinotruk's belief that independent innovation is the lifeblood of the company. In October 2004, the first howo 7-series heavy-duty truck rolled off the production line, officially launching the howo brand. This milestone signified that China's heavy-duty truck technology had begun to align with international standards. The model's first-year production and sales exceeded 10,000 units. By 2008, the howo A7 was introduced, standing as the pinnacle of domestic heavy-duty trucks at the time and propelling the industry toward global advanced standards. In 2010, Sinotruk made a pivotal strategic decision to leverage the howo brand's strengths to enter the light-duty truck market. Through acquiring Chengdu Baili and establishing bases in Fujian Hexi and Jinan, the company formed a triangular layout. By the end of 2011, the howo light-duty truck brand was officially launched. Through continuous innovation and reform, sales surged from over 3,000 units in 2012 to 38,000 units in 2016, ranking among the top ten in the industry. After years of development, the two major series-Hanjian and Tongshuai-have formed a clear product matrix and positioning. The Hanjian series focuses on high cost performance and multifunctionality, targeting urban and intercity logistics while pursuing compliance-driven efficiency. The Tongshuai series, on the other hand, is positioned in the high-end market, integrating leading European truck technologies to deliver premium light-duty trucks for urban logistics. In 2023, the Jinbiao Hanjian Tongshuai series was launched based on the Hanjian platform, followed by an upgrade from Weichai's maximum 160 horsepower to 170 horsepower, with torque increasing to 500 N·m to meet higher efficiency demands. In summary, the howo light-duty truck brand, starting from its strategic launch in 2010, has now become an indispensable force in China's light-duty truck market. Its development journey serves as a prime example of how a commercial vehicle enterprise successfully extends its business and expands its brand. The howo new truck has achieved a leap from newcomer to key player in just over a decade.
