In 2026, Golden Dragon's overseas operations made a powerful start with the official delivery of the first batch of 462 buses to the Tunisian Public Transport Company. This order represents the largest government procurement of public vehicles in Tunisia's history and marks Golden Dragon's first major breakthrough in the North African market.

The delivery ceremony for the initial 462 Golden Dragon buses was held at the Yuanhai Terminal in Haicang, Xiamen

Located at the northernmost tip of Africa, Tunisia borders the Mediterranean Sea and faces Italy across the water. Its unique geography supports a thriving tourism industry and creates distinct public transportation needs. For decades, Tunisia had never imported Chinese buses in bulk. Most public transport companies are state-owned and traditionally relied on European buses—either purchasing European chassis for local assembly or importing used buses from more developed European nations. In the absence of mandatory retirement policies, the average age of local buses ranges from 15 to 20 years.

In 2024, to enhance public welfare, Tunisia launched a large-scale bus fleet renewal program. Continuing with previous procurement methods could no longer meet the demands of public transport modernization. Consequently, Tunisian procurement officials turned to Chinese bus manufacturers, citing three primary reasons: competitive cost-performance ratio, rapid delivery capabilities, and the potential of Chinese buses to improve the image of local public transport. Based on these factors, Tunisia purchased its first batch of Chinese buses in 2024 and subsequently awarded its second—and largest—bus procurement order to Golden Dragon.

Why Golden Dragon?

As early as 2018, Golden Dragon had initiated SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) operations in Tunisia with its high-end Navigator buses. Although annual demand was modest, the company had already established a degree of brand recognition. Another decisive factor was the strong commitment Golden Dragon demonstrated during the bidding process, including meeting various specific technical requirements, undergoing rigorous inspections, and addressing a range of after-sales service needs.

Given Tunisia's coastal and desert climate—characterized by high salinity, humidity, and strong sandstorms—vehicles must meet higher standards for corrosion resistance and sealing. These align with Golden Dragon's core manufacturing strengths. The company's new base in Longhai features 100% automated painting, with robotic spraying ensuring superior paint thickness and uniformity. For the cathodic electrocoating process, Golden Dragon uses second-generation electrocoating paint, a top-tier global product that provides excellent corrosion protection even if the paint is locally damaged. Beyond the body, the extensive use of stainless steel and nail-free assembly further enhances overall anti-corrosion performance. In addition to corrosion and heat resistance, Golden Dragon has also upgraded the vehicles' sealing and dustproof capabilities.

Tunisian Customer Inspection

Tunisia's terrain includes coastal roads, inland gravel paths, and winding northern mountain roads, with significant elevation differences between urban and rural routes. This demands robust body and chassis designs to handle complex local conditions. During R&D, Golden Dragon conducted 25,000 kilometers of intensive road testing on prototypes, including 18,000 kilometers on washboard roads, to ensure the reliability of the body structure and drivetrain. To meet customer fuel efficiency requirements, Golden Dragon engineers collected local road data and, based on driving conditions, jointly calibrated the engine and transmission with suppliers.

Meeting the tender's stringent technical requirements was only the first step. The inspection phase after prototype completion presented another challenge. In September, Golden Dragon welcomed an inspection team from Tunisia's national bus company, including the procurement manager, chief engineer, and representatives from various bus companies. Unlike typical inspections, the team not only examined the exterior, interior, and chassis but also requested that all exterior panels be opened to verify component brands and materials. After passing these checks, the representatives raised additional requests from technical, operational, and after-sales perspectives—such as standardizing side window glass sizes, optimizing rear axle maintenance access, and ensuring easy wiper motor servicing. These items were not part of the original tender but were added as new requirements. Despite rising costs and tight delivery schedules, Golden Dragon decided to proceed with modifications to demonstrate its full commitment. After a month of effort, the prototypes successfully passed the Tunisian customers' second review.

Ms. Lamia Ayadi, Procurement Manager and Chair of the Tender Committee at Tunisia's national bus company SNTRI, remarked: "We witnessed Golden Dragon's utmost sincerity throughout the prototype modification process. This cooperation marks a new beginning for both sides."*

The 462 delivered buses include 12-meter and 18-meter models. The first batch is expected to arrive at Tunisian ports in early February 2026 and will be deployed across 15 bus companies in 14 cities, setting a new benchmark for local public transport.

From contract signing to first shipment, the Tunisia project took approximately five months. Golden Dragon General Manager Lai Zhiyi noted that this cooperation extends beyond products to include exchanges of technology and management expertise. Golden Dragon and its Tunisian partners have reached in-depth agreements on after-sales service network development and localized maintenance training, laying a foundation for long-term collaboration. Discussions are also underway regarding new energy models and smart transport solutions, with future cooperation expected in areas such as electric buses and intelligent dispatch systems.

With this delivery, Golden Dragon is projected to export over 9,200 vehicles in 2025, with total export value exceeding 3.45 billion yuan—a 16% year-on-year increase—setting a new historical record. With the Tunisia project as a strategic foothold, Golden Dragon's overseas business is poised to embark on a new journey in 2026.

Source : www.chinabuses.org

Editor : Lucy

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