The power performance of domestic heavy-duty vehicles has been continuously improving over the years. According to historical data, in 2001, the leading heavy-duty truck engines in China had power outputs ranging from 180 to 210 horsepower. However, as the truck market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, the dominant engine power range for heavy-duty trucks has significantly increased, now falling between 260 and 300 horsepower. This shift reflects a growing demand for more powerful and efficient commercial vehicles.
In contrast, heavy trucks abroad are evolving toward higher power and greater tonnage. In the 1950s, the maximum power of trucks was approximately 150 kW. By the end of the 1990s, this had nearly tripled to around 440 kW. Experts predict that within the next 50 years, the maximum power of heavy trucks could reach as high as 735 kW, with the total mass of such vehicles potentially reaching 100 tons. This trend highlights the global push for stronger, more capable transport solutions.
High power is becoming a key trend in the development of international engines. Heavy-duty trucks with a load capacity of over 15 tons are expected to see the largest market demand, while those exceeding 20 tons will continue to experience strong growth. High-tonnage, high-power, and high-end models tailored for specialized transportation are likely to dominate China’s truck market in the coming years.
However, this progress brings significant challenges for parts manufacturers. One major issue is the lack of technological "core" capabilities. Engines, in particular, face the most severe challenges compared to other components. An expert noted that China's engine integration technology lags behind global standards by about 8 to 10 years. While foreign companies have already introduced engines with 500 to 600 horsepower, domestic engines still only reach up to 400 horsepower, often relying on imported technology. Additionally, many domestic heavy-duty trucks use inline six-cylinder diesel engines, which are less efficient in terms of power output and fuel economy. The minimum fuel consumption rate of domestic engines is generally around 215g/kW·h, compared to 191–196g/kW·h for advanced foreign engines.
Another challenge lies in the oil supply system, where core components are still largely imported. Although domestic research is ongoing, mass production is not yet feasible, and current demand remains unmet. Similarly, the independent development capabilities of domestic transmission manufacturers are limited, with many products based on outdated foreign technologies from the 1980s and 1990s. Despite some progress, domestic companies still lack true core technologies and rely heavily on incremental improvements rather than breakthrough innovations.
Currently, about one-third of the heavy-duty vehicle transmission products in China are imported, while the remaining two-thirds are derived from foreign technology. Self-developed transmissions account for a very small share of the market, highlighting the need for stronger R&D investment.
Beyond technology, management practices also play a crucial role. Industry experts emphasize that even if product design and technical specifications match foreign standards, poor quality management can lead to inconsistent production and subpar performance. Some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) still prefer to purchase foreign "original" parts due to concerns about domestic quality. A professor from Tsinghua University pointed out that while Chinese companies may use similar equipment and materials, differences in management and staff training result in varying product quality. Even foreign-branded products assembled in China sometimes suffer from quality degradation.
To improve, domestic parts companies must enhance their technical capabilities, assembly processes, and overall quality management. As Professor Zhao Liuqi emphasized, strengthening quality control is essential for long-term competitiveness.
Product updates are also critical. Many components, such as axles introduced nearly 20 years ago, are now outdated and require replacement. Additionally, product structures tend to be too narrow, lacking diversity and scale. Issues like poor sealing, gear noise, and reliability problems remain common.
Experts stress that while updating products is necessary, companies must also focus on quality inspection and reliability improvement. For heavy-duty engines, reliability is especially important. In many foreign markets, engines must meet strict standards—failure rates below 10% over 800,000 kilometers before being shipped. In China, however, such rigorous testing is rarely implemented, with some domestic verification processes falling short of even 100,000 kilometers. To close this gap, extensive computational analysis and testing are required, which demands both time and resources.
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