Joint venture empowerment: Auman heavy trucks' path to global quality advancement

I. Brand Foundation: A Benchmark for High-End Heavy Trucks in Sino-Foreign Joint Ventures Auman's rise began in 2012 with the strategic joint venture between Foton Motor and Daimler Group—the two companies jointly established Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd., deeply integrating German heavy truck manufacturing technology with the demands of the Chinese commercial vehicle market. This established Auman's brand positioning as a "leader in high-end heavy trucks." Leveraging Daimler's century-long accumulation of heavy truck technology and Foton's localized operational experience, Auman's initial GTL series broke through the efficiency bottleneck of "oversized engines in undersized trucks" in the domestic heavy truck market at the time. By 2025, the brand's cumulative sales exceeded 1.5 million units, with high-end models accounting for over 60%. It consistently ranks among the top three in market share in core areas such as long-distance logistics and engineering construction in China, while its export business covers more than 90 countries and regions worldwide, making it one of the representative brands of Chinese heavy trucks "going global in the high-end." II. Product Matrix: Full-Scenario Customized Efficiency Solutions Auman deeply understands the operational pain points of different industries. Around the three core scenarios of "efficient logistics, engineering construction, and urban operation," it has created a differentiated vehicle matrix, with each product equipped with scenario-specific configurations: 1. Fuel-Powered Heavy Trucks: A Dual Benchmark for Efficiency and Heavy Load Auman EST-A Super Truck: Positioned for long-haul, high-efficiency logistics, it is equipped with a Foton Cummins X13 engine (maximum 620 horsepower, 2800 N·m torque) and a ZF TraXon AMT transmission, forming a "German powertrain." Its fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is 1.8-2.2L lower than similar models, and its B10 life reaches 1.8 million kilometers. The cab features four-point suspended air springs and aviation-grade seats, along with a 12.3-inch intelligent central control screen, enabling L2-level assisted driving functions such as cruise control and lane departure warning. In 2024, it secured a batch order of 500 units from SF Express, becoming the "Efficiency King" of trunk logistics. Auman GTL Heavy Duty Edition: Designed for heavy-duty scenarios in mining and infrastructure, it adopts a three-layer high-strength frame (with a load capacity of up to 60 tons), and the suspension system is upgraded to a reinforced multi-leaf spring. It is equipped with a Foton Cummins X12 engine (with low-speed high torque characteristics, outputting a maximum torque of 2300 N·m at 1000-1400 rpm), which can easily handle the climbing requirements of unpaved roads. The cargo box is made of wear-resistant high-strength steel with a thickness of 3mm, which extends the service life by 50% compared to ordinary cargo boxes. It has a market share of over 35% in mining areas of Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. Auman New ETX City Delivery Edition: Focusing on short-distance transportation of urban building materials and agricultural products, the vehicle features a lightweight design (weighing only 7.2 tons), equipped with a Foton Cummins F4.5 engine (220 horsepower) and a Fast 8-speed transmission, achieving a fuel consumption as low as 18L per 100km. The cab adopts a narrow-body design (2.2 meters wide), flexibly adapting to narrow urban roads, and is also equipped with practical features such as a reversing camera and tire pressure monitoring. In the first half of 2025, its sales in the domestic urban delivery heavy truck market increased by 28% year-on-year. 2. New Energy Heavy Trucks: Multiple Technology Routes Covering Green Transportation Auman is one of the earliest brands in China to deploy new energy heavy trucks, forming a three-pronged approach of "pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell": Auman EST Pure Electric Tractor: Designed for short-distance transportation in ports and industrial parks, it is equipped with a 350kWh high-capacity lithium iron phosphate battery pack, providing a range of up to 220km. It supports 1.2-hour fast charging (to 80%), with a maximum motor power of 360kW and a torque of 2800N・m, meeting the "high-frequency, short-range" requirements of container transshipment. 200 units were delivered to Tianjin Port in 2024, with annual electricity costs per vehicle saving over 120,000 yuan compared to fuel-powered vehicles. Auman GTL Hybrid Truck: Designed for intercity logistics, it adopts an "engine + motor" parallel hybrid system. It operates with pure electric drive at low speeds (≤40km/h) and direct engine drive at high speeds. Combined fuel consumption is 25% lower than gasoline vehicles, with a range exceeding 1000km, addressing the "range anxiety" of pure electric vehicles. It is expected to become the main intercity transportation vehicle for JD Logistics by 2025. Auman Hydrogen Fuel Cell Heavy Truck: Developed in collaboration with Yihuatong, it features a 120kW hydrogen fuel system with hydrogen consumption as low as 8kg/100km and a range of up to 500km. Refueling takes only 15 minutes. It was put into operation in the Zhangjiakou Winter Olympics supporting project in 2024. In 2025, an order for 100 units was signed with an energy group in Inner Mongolia for short-distance coal mine transportation, promoting the commercialization of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks. III. Core Technologies: A Fusion of German Quality and Intelligent Innovation Auman's technological competitiveness stems from "Daimler technology backing + independent innovation upgrades": **Powertrain Golden Combination:** Exclusively equipped with a Foton Cummins engine (maximum thermal efficiency of 54.5%) and a ZF transmission, achieving a transmission efficiency of up to 99.7%. Combined with a Daimler-tuned chassis, it achieves the triple advantages of "strong power, low fuel consumption, and long lifespan." The X13 engine, in particular, can achieve a 100,000 km oil change interval, reducing maintenance time by 50%. **Intelligent Driving Upgrade:** All high-end models come standard with the "Foton Intelligent Technology" system, supporting L2+ level assisted driving (including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist). Some models offer an optional "high-precision map + millimeter-wave radar" fusion solution, enabling "hands-free driving" on closed highways. The EST-A Smart Edition, launched in 2024, reduces long-distance driving fatigue by 40%. Safety protection system: Adopting a "cage-type body + high-strength steel" design, the body's torsional strength reaches 18000N・m/°. Combined with WEVB exhaust brake (braking power up to 320kW) and ESP vehicle stability system, the emergency braking distance is shortened by 3.5 meters compared to the industry average. The cab is equipped with "collision rearward displacement" technology, which can move backward by 500mm in an accident, significantly improving the safety of passengers. IV. Global Layout and Service System: From Local Leadership to Global Adaptation

1. Foreign Trade Expansion: A High-End Overseas Path

Relying on Daimler's global channel resources, Auman focuses on the "Belt and Road" initiative and emerging markets:

In Southeast Asia, the GTL Southeast Asia version, adapted to hot and humid environments, was launched, featuring waterproof wiring harnesses and a high-temperature cooling system. In 2024, it secured orders for 300 units in Vietnam and Thailand, primarily for cross-border transportation of agricultural products.

In the Middle East, the EST Middle East version, optimized for desert conditions, is equipped with a sand-proof filter and a large-capacity fuel tank (600L). In 2025, it became the designated vehicle for oilfield transportation for a Saudi oil company.

In South America, a KD assembly plant was established in cooperation with local dealers, achieving a localization rate of 60%. In 2024, sales increased by 65% ​​year-on-year, ranking among the top two Chinese heavy-duty truck brands in the region. 2. Localized Service: Full Lifecycle Support Auman has built a "1+N" service network system: One headquarters service center and 1200 authorized service stations nationwide, achieving service coverage of "30 kilometers on national highways and 10 kilometers on expressways," with a 24-hour roadside assistance response time of no more than 1.5 hours; 20 regional parts warehouses have been established, with a 95% availability rate for commonly used parts. Emergency parts are delivered through a dual "air + land" channel, ensuring delivery within 48 hours; A "lifetime free inspection + 3-year unlimited mileage warranty" service has been launched, and "dedicated service managers + customized maintenance solutions" are provided for major customers. In 2024, customer satisfaction reached 96.8%, ranking among the top in the industry. V. Future Strategy: Focusing on Intelligentization and Decarbonization
Auman is accelerating its transformation into an "intelligent and low-carbon heavy-duty truck service provider": In 2025, it launched the "Hydrogen Fuel Cell Heavy-Duty Truck Large-Scale Application Plan," aiming to deploy 5,000 hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks within three years; simultaneously, it is collaborating with technology companies such as Huawei and Baidu to develop L4-level autonomous driving heavy-duty trucks, focusing on breakthroughs in unmanned operation in closed scenarios such as ports and mining areas, with commercialization expected in 2026, further consolidating its technological leadership in the high-end heavy-duty truck market.