On March 26, 2026, Guangzhou Yuanfu Automotive Supply Chain Co., Ltd., a joint venture established by Foton Motor and COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, officially held its inauguration ceremony. A roll-on/roll-off vessel bearing the logos of both companies was formally delivered, while 600 Foton pickup trucks stood in formation at the port terminal, ready for shipment as the first large-scale export order following the joint venture's operational launch. These vehicles will be transported to South American markets aboard the newly delivered vessel, Kaiyuankou.

From strategic planning to execution, the synchronization of these two milestones marks a significant upgrade in Foton Motor's "Comprehensive Internationalization" strategy. It also signals the company's formal establishment of an autonomous, stable, and efficient global maritime supply chain system—driving its transformation from "product export" to "system export."

01 Breaking Through Key Bottlenecks in Overseas Expansion with Strategic Foresight

As the top Chinese commercial vehicle exporter for 15 consecutive years, Foton Motor has consistently cultivated overseas markets with a global vision. To date, its cumulative overseas sales have exceeded 1.25 million units, with sales and service networks spanning more than 140 countries and regions.

In 2025, Foton Motor achieved overseas sales of 164,500 units, with its global footprint continuing to expand. Its localized manufacturing base in Brazil was completed and put into operation, marking a strategic move into the South American market. The Thailand facility has strengthened regional manufacturing capabilities across Southeast Asia, advancing the "localized production + regional distribution" strategy with growing market penetration. Meanwhile, the South Africa plant achieved CKD mass production of AMT heavy-duty trucks and pickups, steadily reinforcing localized operations in the African market. New energy vehicles have also become a core driver of Foton's global leadership, with 2025 sales reaching 101,200 units—an 87.21% year-on-year increase—significantly outpacing the industry average and driving continued growth in new energy exports.

As export volumes and global business presence expand amid a volatile trade landscape and geopolitical uncertainties, the limitations of traditional fragmented slot procurement models—such as freight rate fluctuations, unstable capacity, and unpredictable delivery schedules—have emerged as common bottlenecks constraining the high-quality overseas expansion of Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers. To secure a lasting foothold in global markets, companies must take firm control of their supply chain operations.

The establishment of the joint venture with COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers represents Foton Motor's proactive strategic response to the demands of global growth. Moving beyond the conventional logistics outsourcing model, Foton has formed a long-term strategic partnership with COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers. By leveraging COSCO's global shipping network, extensive route resources, and end-to-end logistics capabilities, alongside Foton's large-scale export volumes and overseas market reach, the partnership enables true complementary advantages and mutual empowerment.

02 Systematic Integration Strengthens Global Development Foundation

The launch of Yuanfu Supply Chain is more than a cooperation agreement—it represents a comprehensive upgrade of Foton Motor's global supply chain. Through deep integration of resources, Foton gains access to long-term, stable shipping capacity, transforming logistics costs from a variable to a strategically planned investment, thereby strengthening support for its global operations.

Through this platform, Foton Motor will secure customized maritime services for complete vehicles, KD parts, components, and general cargo based on the specific needs of various overseas markets. More importantly, the autonomous ocean shipping capacity delivers value across three key dimensions:

Delivery: Hedging against cyclical volatility in the international shipping market, ensuring more reliable and punctual delivery for global customers.

Cost: Integrating end-to-end logistics expenditures through long-term, deeply aligned cooperation, enhancing product competitiveness in overseas markets while protecting profit margins.

Strategy: Leveraging COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers' global logistics network and its expanding 7,500-vehicle LNG clean-energy ro-ro fleet to embed Foton's maritime supply chain into global routes—supporting more confident and measured deployment in key Belt and Road markets and emerging regions such as Latin America and Africa.

The 600 Foton pickup trucks ready for shipment at the vessel delivery site stand as a testament to the supply chain system's transition from strategy to execution. This batch, soon to be dispatched, reflects strong recognition of Foton's pickup capabilities in the South American market and marks the official launch of the joint venture's tailored shipping capacity.

03 Setting Sail Toward Global Markets

Commenting on the joint venture's inauguration, Zhu Youfu, Vice President of Foton Motor, said: "Establishing this joint venture with COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers is a natural step for our overseas business at its current scale. This is not merely a collaboration, but a comprehensive upgrade of our internationalization strategy."

Zhang Chi, Deputy General Manager of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, added: "COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers is dedicated to supporting the global development of Chinese enterprises. Strengthening our partnership with Foton Motor will set a new benchmark for collaboration between the automotive and shipping industries, contributing to a secure and resilient supply chain for Chinese automotive exports."

Standing at a new development milestone—marking thirty years of dedication—Foton Motor will leverage the Yuanfu Supply Chain Company as a strategic fulcrum and its self-controlled global maritime supply chain as a foundation to steadily advance its Comprehensive Internationalization strategy. This independently controlled "maritime golden channel" will carry the ambition and strength of China's commercial vehicle leader, enabling more efficient connections with global markets and better service for global users.

This deep integration between the automotive and shipping industries not only lays a solid foundation for Foton Motor's global growth but also offers a replicable model for Chinese automotive companies expanding overseas, contributing to the resilience and stability of the global supply chain for China's automotive industry.

Source : www.chinabuses.org

Editor : Lucy

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