China’s heavy-duty tractor truck market posted a 15% year-over-year increase in sales in May, with 33,300 units sold, according to industry data. Despite a 7% decline from April, the market showed signs of continued recovery amid rising demand for new energy vehicles.

Tractor trucks accounted for 52.7% of all heavy-duty truck sales in May, slightly higher than the previous month. While the figure remains well below the 66,700 units sold in May 2021, it ranks as the second-highest May performance in the past five years.

FAW TRUCKS led the market with 7,398 units sold, followed by Sinotruk at 5,990. Dongfeng, Foton, and SHACMAN each reported monthly sales above 4,000 units. SANY, XCMG, Farizon, and C&C saw sales more than double year over year, with SANY recording more than threefold growth.

The top 10 manufacturers captured 96.4% of the total market in May, with the top five companies accounting for over 80%. FAW TRUCKS held the largest market share at 22.24%.

From January through May, total tractor truck sales in China reached 154,100 units, a 13% increase from the same period in 2024. New energy vehicles (NEVs) were a key driver, with sales up 284% year over year. Battery-electric trucks saw a 304% increase, while hybrid models rose 237%.

NEVs now represent 28.87% of all tractor truck sales, up from 17.43% in full-year 2024. Meanwhile, diesel trucks declined slightly in share, and natural gas trucks saw a sharp drop of 17 percentage points.

Several manufacturers reported high NEV penetration rates. At XCMG and SANY, more than 90% of tractor trucks sold in the first five months were new energy models. Farizon and JAC exceeded 70%.

Analysts say the shift toward electrification and alternative fuels is reshaping the commercial vehicle landscape. As regulations tighten and technology improves, new energy and gas-powered trucks are expected to play an increasingly central role in China’s truck market.