From January to June 2026, Ankai's new-energy bus sales surged 204.7% year-on-year, the highest growth rate in the industry. Meanwhile, its export volume exceeded 1,000 units, skyrocketing 419.8% year-on-year — also the strongest performance among the industry's top five players.
Domestic Sales More Than Triple: Major Orders & Industry Accolades
Ankai delivered a standout performance in China's domestic new-energy bus market during the first half of 2026.
According to the China Bus Statistical Information Network, total domestic sales of new-energy buses over 6 metres reached approximately 21,000 units in Jan–Jun 2026, representing only a modest 0.8% year-on-year increase for the sector. Against this flat industry backdrop, Ankai's 204.7% sales surge made it the clear leader in growth momentum.
Strong order momentum points to continued sales strength. In H1, Ankai secured multiple landmark domestic projects:
March: Won bids for large new-energy buses for Fuyang Airport and pure-electric buses for Jinhua Public Transport Group
April: Awarded the rural-urban pure-electric bus procurement project in Jiangshan
May: Secured a pure-electric bus tender for Tongling Public Transport
June: Obtained an order for 35 pure-electric buses for Hefei High-tech Public Transport
July: Landed a 270-unit pure-electric city-bus contract with Guangzhou Bus Group, valued at over RMB 100 million
Ankai's market reach is expanding rapidly, covering everything from county-level markets to tier-one cities.
The company also earned major industry recognition. At the 2026 EC-PAC National New-Energy Commercial Vehicle (Bus) Performance Evaluation Challenge, Ankai took home the Grand All-round Gold Award. The Ankai N90E claimed four gold awards in the 8.005–9 m segment — for driving range, power performance, energy-saving efficiency, and overall capability — making it the only model in its category to win the Grand All-round Gold Award. The Ankai N71E received two gold awards in the 6.9–8 m category for passenger comfort & health and charging safety.
At the Influencing China 2025–2026 Annual Review, the N71E was named "Star of High-end Official & Business Buses," the E85 was honoured as "Recommended New-energy Bus Model," and Ankai won the overseas achievement award "Kyrgyzstan Star." These accolades represent authoritative industry endorsement of Ankai's product strength.
The domestic growth is underpinned by solid product competitiveness and targeted market strategies. Star models including the N90E, N71E, and E85 cover full-scenario applications — from public transit to tourism, and from urban to rural routes. Combined with accelerating local bus electrification and replacement demand, Ankai has effectively seized market opportunities.
Overseas Sales Quadruple: From Follower to Front-runner Contender
While Ankai's domestic performance has been impressive, its overseas expansion has been nothing short of explosive.
Latest figures show that China exported 10,000 new-energy buses (above 3.5 m) in Jan–Jun 2026, rising 32.1% year-on-year. While the industry as a whole posted robust growth, Ankai dramatically outperformed the sector: it exported 1,024 new-energy buses, ranking fourth in the industry with a staggering 419.8% year-on-year increase — far outpacing other top-five exporters.
The overseas breakout built on earlier momentum. In Q1 alone, Ankai exported 536 new-energy buses, rocketing 1,524.2% year-on-year, with its market share climbing to 11.9% — widely regarded as the industry's biggest dark horse. By April, cumulative exports reached 657 units, placing Ankai among the top three exporters, just seven units behind the second-ranked player.
Geographically, Ankai secured business across Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Its "Kyrgyzstan Star" award recognises its long-term market cultivation in Central Asia. In new-energy bus exports, Ankai has evolved from a follower into a serious contender for industry leadership.
Two core factors underpin its overseas momentum: accumulated first-mover advantages, with rising brand recognition and mature distribution networks; and enhanced product competitiveness, enabling its new-energy buses to compete with international brands in cost-performance and local adaptability. Driven by global carbon-neutrality goals, rising worldwide demand for electric public transit continues to fuel Ankai's overseas opportunities.
In summary: Amid modest overall industry growth in H1 2026, Ankai achieved roughly 205% domestic sales growth and nearly 420% export growth. It secured successive large domestic tenders, collected multiple industry awards, and opened new markets from Mexico to Kyrgyzstan. This is no random dark-horse success — it is the tangible result of years of persistent market investment and strategic execution.
