On November 5, 2026, a 30-member Austrian economic delegation visited Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co., Ltd. ("Golden Dragon"). Representatives from the commercial sections of the Austrian Consulates General in Chengdu and Guangzhou joined the visit. The delegation brought together executives and technical leads from 17 Austrian public transport institutions, passenger operators and green energy companies, including Austrian Postbus, the Tyrol public transport authority, the Burgenland public transport company, Blaguss, Ledermair and Bacher. Lai Zhiyi, General Manager of Golden Dragon, and Wang Jinji, General Manager of Golden Dragon Global Marketing Center, led the reception.

Inside the Longhai Smart Factory: Advanced Manufacturing for the High-End Market
 

In the morning, the delegation visited Golden Dragon's Longhai Smart Factory in Zhangzhou. As a core manufacturing base serving the global high-end market, the factory has a planned annual capacity of 30,000 vehicles and runs a dedicated high-end production line built specifically for the European market's high standards.

At the electrophoresis workshop, process engineers and the European business team delivered a joint bilingual (Chinese-German) presentation on the vehicle anti-corrosion process. The line completes one vehicle body every eight minutes, and the electrophoretic coating penetrates into the inner cavities of the frame, ensuring ten years of corrosion protection.

The delegation then entered the final assembly workshop — nearly 60,000 square meters in total and currently the largest of its kind in the world. There they viewed automated equipment including the overhead conveyor system and tire-handling robotic arms, gaining a direct impression of Golden Dragon's intelligent assembly and digital production capabilities.
 

The group then moved on to Golden Dragon's Global Marketing Center in Haicang, Xiamen, where they inspected representative models developed for the European market, including the GC Series intercity buses and coaches and the PIVOT Series battery-electric city buses. Guests boarded the vehicles for first-hand experience and held in-depth discussions with the technical team on winter operations, body corrosion protection, charging compatibility and total cost of ownership (TCO).

 

Talking Zero-Carbon Transport, Turning Intent into Practical Cooperation
 

At the seminar, Lai Zhiyi welcomed the delegation. He noted that since its founding in 1992, Golden Dragon has exported products to more than 150 countries and regions. In 2025, the company exported more than 9,400 buses and coaches, ranking second among Chinese bus brands, and more than 500 Golden Dragon battery-electric buses are now in service in Europe.

"The overseas market is not simply about selling vehicles abroad," Lai said. "It is about truly understanding the requirements of different countries, customers and regulations, and providing long-term, reliable products and services." He expressed the hope that the visit would serve as a starting point for practical cooperation with Austrian partners in vehicle supply, technical exchange and service support.
 

The European business team then presented Golden Dragon's European market solutions in German. With more than 500 battery-electric buses already operating in Europe and strong performance in Denmark and Norway, the company has tailored its products to Europe's complex operating conditions. Five major technical highlights — including a fully enclosed, cold-weather-protected chassis and multiple anti-corrosion measures for stainless-steel bodies — address the region's cold and humid environments. Golden Dragon products hold EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EU-WVTA) and cover three major categories: city buses, intercity coaches and battery-electric chassis. The company offers flexible cooperation models including complete vehicles, chassis cooperation and knock-down assembly.

The Austrian delegation spoke highly of Golden Dragon's manufacturing capabilities and customized solutions. Several company representatives said the visit had strengthened their confidence in the quality and adaptability of Chinese new-energy buses, and they looked forward to seeing more Chinese buses on urban and rural roads in Austria, contributing to the country's green transport transition.
 

The visit showcased Golden Dragon's core strengths in intelligent manufacturing and new energy, and built an effective bridge for deeper engagement in Austria and the high-end Central European market. Golden Dragon's overseas sales team will continue to advance follow-up cooperation.