Summary of HDT Expert Call Takeaways Industry Overview - **Industry**: Heavy-Duty Truck (HDT) Market in China - **Forecast for 2026**: Expected sales to moderate to approximately 1 million units from 1.1 million in 2025, primarily due to domestic market weakness [1][10] Key Insights - **Sales Breakdown**: - 2025 sales included around 800,000 units domestically and approximately 310,000 units in exports - Projected 2026 sales: 650,000 domestic units and 330-340,000 export units [9][11] - **Market Dynamics**: - Domestic market slowdown attributed to front-loading of National IV HDT replacements in 2025 - Anticipation of National VI emission standards rollout in 2029, leading to a phaseout of National V HDT starting in 2027 [10][12] Sales Growth and Projections - **November 2025 Sales**: - Retail sales projected to exceed 80,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 40-45% - LNG HDT sales expected to reach 20-22,000 units, up over 80% year-on-year - Electric HDT sales projected at 22-24,000 units, up 130% year-on-year [9][10] - **December 2025 Outlook**: Anticipated further increase in retail sales to 85-90,000 units, with electric HDT reaching 25,000 units [10] Export Potential - **Export Growth**: - Expected to grow in single digits year-on-year, reaching 330-340,000 units in 2026, with further growth anticipated to exceed 350,000 units in 2027 [11] - **Global Market Opportunity**: - Addressable market for Chinese OEMs estimated at around 700,000 units, indicating significant potential for overseas expansion [12] Electrification Trends - **Electric HDT Penetration**: - Expected to rise from 26% in 2025 to 28-30% in 2026, reaching 50% by 2030 [9][13] - **Challenges**: - Key bottleneck remains battery life, with current penetration in short/medium mileage already at 50-60% [14] - **Competition**: - Anticipated to be intense in the domestic market over the next 2-3 years, with thin profitability expected [14] Long-term Outlook - **Electric HDT Exports**: - Promising long-term prospects with higher average selling prices (ASP) in Europe, but scaling up is expected to take 3-5 years [15] Risks and Considerations - **Potential Risks**: - Weichai and Sinotruk rated as Equal-weight due to weaker industry momentum in 2026, although offset by expected recovery in LNG penetration and solid export performance [9][10] - **Market Factors**: - Trade-in policy extensions and better demand for LNG and electric HDT could positively influence market dynamics [16] Conclusion - The HDT market in China is poised for a mild slowdown in 2026, primarily driven by domestic market conditions, while export growth and electrification trends present opportunities for long-term investment. The competitive landscape will remain challenging, particularly in the electric HDT segment, necessitating strategic positioning by key players.