Artificial Intelligence
Domestic key components of domestic heavy truck control
The power performance of heavy-duty vehicles in China has been continuously improving over the years. According to historical data, the power range of leading domestic heavy-duty engine models in 2001 was between 180 and 210 horsepower. In recent years, with rapid development in the truck market, the dominant power range for heavy-duty trucks has increased significantly, now ranging from 260 to 300 horsepower. This reflects a growing demand for more powerful and efficient transport solutions.
Internationally, heavy trucks are evolving toward higher power and greater tonnage. An expert noted that in the 1950s, the maximum power of trucks was around 150 kilowatts, but by the end of the 1990s, this had risen to approximately 440 kilowatts. Looking ahead, it is predicted that within the next 50 years, the maximum power of heavy trucks could reach 735 kilowatts, with total vehicle mass potentially reaching 100 tons. This shift highlights a global trend toward stronger, more capable vehicles designed for long-haul and heavy-load transportation.
High-power engines are becoming a key focus in the international truck industry. Heavy-duty trucks with a load capacity of over 15 tons are expected to see the largest market demand, while those over 20 tons will continue to experience strong growth. High-tonnage, high-power, and high-end models tailored for specialized logistics and 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 competencies. Engines, in particular, face the most intense competition. A technical expert pointed out that China's engine technology lags behind advanced foreign counterparts by about 8 to 10 years. While foreign manufacturers have already introduced engines with 500 to 600 horsepower, domestic models typically only reach 400 horsepower. Even when foreign technology is introduced, domestic engines still struggle with low power output, high emissions, poor reliability, and inefficient fuel consumption.
Another challenge lies in the production of critical components. Although some research is being conducted domestically, many core parts of the fuel supply system are still imported. This gap makes it difficult for Chinese companies to meet the rising demand for high-performance engines.
In addition, the independent development capabilities of domestic transmission manufacturers remain limited. Many of their technologies are based on outdated foreign systems from the 1980s and 1990s. While there have been improvements, domestic companies still rely heavily on foreign designs and lack true core technologies. As a result, over two-thirds of the heavy-duty transmission products in the domestic market are derived from foreign technologies, with only a small portion being self-developed.
Management practices also play a crucial role in the quality and consistency of parts. Some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) still prefer to purchase foreign "original" components due to concerns about the quality of domestic alternatives. Experts point out that even though many Chinese companies have passed quality certifications, they still need to enhance their technical expertise, assembly processes, and overall quality management. The gap in management standards remains one of the biggest obstacles to catching up with international competitors.
Product updates are equally important. Many components used in heavy trucks have not been updated in nearly two decades. For example, the Steyr axles introduced in China over 20 years ago are now outdated. Companies must improve product structure, increase variety, and achieve better standardization and scale in production. Issues such as poor sealing, gear noise, and inconsistent quality still persist.
Finally, reliability and testing are critical areas that require improvement. Foreign standards for engine reliability are much stricter—requiring failure rates under 10% after 800,000 kilometers. In contrast, domestic verification often falls far short of even 100,000 kilometers. To close this gap, extensive computational analysis and rigorous testing are necessary, which requires both time and investment.
Overall, while China’s heavy-duty vehicle industry is making progress, there is still a long way to go in terms of technology, quality, and innovation. Strengthening core competencies, improving management, and accelerating product upgrades are essential steps toward achieving global competitiveness.
Dongguan Anding Technology Manufacturing Co., Ltd , https://www.cn-moulds.com