Niche markets have flourished on multiple fronts, becoming the core engine of export growth. Traditional logistics transport trailers remain the mainstay, accounting for 64% of total exports, while recreational trailers and specialized trailers have achieved rapid growth. Benefiting from the global boom in camping economy, the compound annual growth rate of recreational trailer exports has reached 28%. In the first three quarters of 2025, their export volumes to the European and North American markets increased by 35% and 29% year-on-year, respectively. The specialized trailer segment has performed even more impressively: demand for refrigerated transport, hazardous materials transport, and mine-specific models has surged, with the order volume of customized mine trailers above 300 tons growing by 18% annually. A single order for specialized trailers in the East Coast Rail Link project in Malaysia exceeded RMB 1.5 billion. In response to differences in market demand, enterprises have accurately adapted their products: low-cost and durable light-duty trailers under 20 tons are launched for Southeast Asia, new energy and environmentally friendly models are focused on for Europe, and the load-bearing performance of mine-specific trailers is enhanced for Africa, forming a differentiated competitive advantage.
The cross-border logistics network has been continuously optimized, and customs clearance efficiency has been significantly improved. Relying on the Belt and Road Initiative, multimodal transport channels have been constantly improved. The Harbin International Inland Port Aggregation Center launched a "dual ETC" service, allowing vehicles with Russian ETC to significantly reduce port detention time and lower comprehensive logistics costs. The TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) international road transport model is being promoted at an accelerated pace. Many regions such as Hangzhou and Wenzhou have opened transport channels of "TIR + cross-border e-commerce" and "TIR + market procurement". The 10,000-kilometer cross-border transport time can be shortened to about 10 days, and the transport cost is only one-fourth of air freight. Innovations in logistics models have driven breakthroughs in regional markets. The regular operation of the China-Russia Eastern International Transport Corridor has helped trailer exports to Russia increase by 40% year-on-year, and the export volume of trailers shipped via China-Europe Railway Express to Central Asia has increased by 23% month-on-month.
Breakthroughs in compliance certifications and localized layout have consolidated the foundation of overseas markets. Faced with technical barriers in different countries, enterprises have accelerated compliance adaptation: SANY Heavy Industry obtained European access qualifications by acquiring Germany's Schwarzmüller Group, and its orders in the EU market are expected to exceed RMB 1.5 billion in 2025; XCMG established a KD (Knocked Down) assembly plant in Indonesia, with its local market share jumping from 9% to 27%. In response to mandatory requirements such as Russia's OTTC certification, leading enterprises have completed product certification adaptation in advance, controlling the increase in customs clearance costs within a reasonable range. In the first three quarters of 2025, the market share of Chinese trailers in Russia further increased. At the policy level, the continuous release of tariff reduction dividends under RCEP has reduced the import cost of trailers in Southeast Asia by 10%-15%, driving China's export volume to Vietnam, Malaysia, and other countries to increase by 45.07% and 34% year-on-year, respectively.
The competitive pattern of the industry is accelerating its restructuring, with leading enterprises leading the transformation. The market share of the top five manufacturers such as CIMC Vehicles, XCMG, and SANY Heavy Industry has increased to 38%. Through overseas factory construction, merger and acquisition integration, and service center establishment, they have shortened the after-sales response time to 72 hours. Enterprises' R&D investment continues to tilt towards new energy and intelligence. The export penetration rate of new energy trailers has increased to 22%, and the assembly rate of intelligent trailer management systems has exceeded 37%. Technological upgrading has significantly enhanced the product premium capacity.
