China’s tractor truck market saw a strong rebound in March 2026, with retail sales reaching 51,500 units, marking the highest March level in the past five years, as the heavy-duty truck sector entered its traditional peak season.

According to terminal sales data (insurance registrations, excluding exports and military vehicles), total heavy-duty truck retail sales reached 87,600 units in March, posting solid growth both month-on-month and year-on-year. As the largest segment within the heavy truck market, tractor trucks also recorded strong gains.

Sales Up 232% MoM, 33% YoY

In March, tractor truck retail sales surged 232% month-on-month and 33% year-on-year, reversing the sharp 47% decline recorded in February and returning to positive growth.

Compared with March 2025, the market added approximately 12,600 units.

The tractor truck segment outperformed the overall heavy-duty truck market, which grew 22% year-on-year, with a growth rate 11 percentage points higher than the industry average.

Tractor trucks accounted for approximately 58.8% of total heavy-duty truck retail sales in March, slightly up from 54.6% in February.

Strongest March in Five Years

March is traditionally a peak season for truck sales, and this year’s performance stood out.

With sales reaching 51,500 units, March 2026 recorded the highest March volume in five years, significantly exceeding the average level of 33,500 units seen between 2022 and 2025.

The result also ranks among the highest monthly levels since April 2025, continuing the upward trend observed over the past year.

China Tractor Truck Market — OEM Sales Performance, March 2026 (Units)

FAW TRUCKS Leads; SINOTRUK Exceeds 10,000 Units

In terms of OEM performance, FAW TRUCKS retained its leading position in March with sales of 14,700 units.

SINOTRUK ranked second with 10,600 units, also surpassing the 10,000-unit mark.

Foton secured third place with 6,911 units, followed by SHACMAN (5,804 units) and Dongfeng (5,551 units).

Other key players included XCMG, SANY, and BAIC Heavy Truck, ranking sixth to eighth, while the remaining manufacturers recorded sales below 1,000 units.

9 of Top 10 OEMs Post Growth

Among the top 10 manufacturers, nine recorded year-on-year growth, while only one posted a slight decline.

Foton, BAIC Heavy Truck, and C&C led growth with increases of 66%, 76%, and 36%, respectively

FAW TRUCKS and SINOTRUK both rose 47%, significantly outperforming the market

XCMG and SANY posted double-digit growth

Dongfeng and Farizon recorded modest increases

SHACMAN was the only OEM to decline, down slightly by 0.4%

High Market Concentration

The market remained highly concentrated.

In March, the top 10 manufacturers accounted for 97.0% of total sales, while the top five held a combined share of 84.6%.

FAW TRUCKS and SINOTRUK both exceeded a 20% market share, reaching 28.5% and 20.7%, respectively

Foton, SHACMAN, and Dongfeng followed with shares of 13.4%, 11.3%, and 10.8%

Compared with February, ranking positions saw some changes, with C&C re-entering the top 10, while SHACMAN and BAIC Heavy Truck moved up in the rankings.

Q1 Sales Reach 92,000 Units, Up 8% YoY

For the first quarter of 2026, cumulative tractor truck retail sales totaled 92,000 units, up 8% year-on-year, reversing the decline seen earlier in the year.

China Tractor Truck Market — OEM Sales Performance, Jan.-March 2026 (Units)

Among leading OEMs, XCMG and C&C posted the fastest growth, rising 64% and 101%, respectively.

SINOTRUK, Foton, SANY, and BAIC Heavy Truck also outperformed the market with double-digit gains, while FAW TRUCKS and Farizon recorded modest growth.

At the same time, several manufacturers experienced declines, with the largest drop reaching 17%.

New Energy Penetration Exceeds 30%

Structural changes in the market continued to accelerate.

From January to March, new energy tractor trucks (including battery electric, fuel cell, and hybrid models) accounted for 31.15% of total retail sales, up 6.05 percentage points from a year earlier.

Battery electric vehicles accounted for 31.00%

Natural gas vehicles also gained share, supported by strong March sales

Diesel and methanol-powered vehicles continued to decline

New energy products are increasingly shaping the competitive landscape, with several leading OEMs reporting a growing share of NEV sales.

Outlook

The strong March performance highlights solid demand during the peak season, with tractor truck sales reaching a five-year high and returning to a growth trajectory.

As the market enters April—another traditionally strong month—the key question will be whether this momentum can be sustained, particularly as the transition toward new energy vehicles continues to accelerate.