Chinese commercial vehicle maker Foton Motor has laid out a five-year growth plan that targets annual sales of 1 million vehicles by 2030, according to Gasgoo, an automotive industry news outlet. The strategy, announced on September 29, outlines a roadmap built on four core businesses: complete vehicles, intelligent driving and unmanned equipment, key components, and the aftermarket.
Overseas push and multi-brand strategy
Foton plans to shift from simply exporting products to exporting its entire industrial system, manufacturing capabilities, and brand presence. In overseas markets, it will run a multi-brand approach under the Foton, Forland, and Caven names. The company reported overseas sales of nearly 150,000 units in the first eight months of 2026, up 44.3 percent year-on-year, bringing cumulative overseas sales to over 1.39 million units. Foton aims to sell 400,000 vehicles overseas by 2030, representing 40 percent of its total sales.
New-energy and intelligent driving targets
In the new-energy segment, Foton is pursuing a three-pronged technology path covering pure electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. The company is relying on its self-developed Aiyike three-electric technology platform to increase the in-house production rate of battery packs and electric drive axles. In August 2026, Foton's new-energy vehicle sales rose 50 percent year-on-year, while exports of new-energy models grew at a pace above 60 percent. The company's goal is to sell 500,000 new-energy vehicles by 2030, accounting for half of its total sales.
On the intelligent driving front, Foton has launched a commercial vehicle AI large-model brand called Cangqiong, integrating smart driving and smart cockpit development. The company is advancing full-stack in-house development of L2 to L3 level autonomous driving algorithms and their large-scale installation, and is applying L4 high-level autonomous driving technology in closed scenarios such as ports, mines, and parks. Foton aims to achieve full commercial deployment of L4 intelligent driving by 2030.
The strategy also emphasizes balanced growth in scale and profitability, with a focus on internationalization, new-energy adoption, and intelligence as the three pillars of its transformation. Foton's plan is part of a broader trend among Chinese commercial vehicle makers to expand globally and embrace electrification, as the domestic market faces intense competition and slowing growth.
