By 2022, overseas markets will account for half of the company's total sales.

The company will also continue seeking overseas partners, including research institutions and companies with core technologies or products. Five to 10 new overseas assembly plants will be built in the next five years.

"We will take opportunity from the Belt and Road Initiative to expand our international markets and build overseas innovation centers," Wang said.

Smart trucks

The first batch of 20 Sinotruk intelligent trucks were delivered to users on Dec 17, marking the start of industrialization and commercial use of such trucks in the country.

"Intelligence and internet connectivity is a definite trend of the future auto industry," said Cai Jin, deputy head of the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

"China has 13.5 million trucks, surpassing the number in the United States. It needs to improve the quality of its logistics services, and the market requires smarter and safer vehicles."The design of Sinotruk's first-generation intelligent truck is based on its Sitrak models. It has integrated many automatic systems, including the advanced emergency braking system, electronic brake system, electronic stability control, lane departure warning system, hill start assist and adaptive cruise control.

The product is the result of Sinotruk's independent innovation and cooperation with many world leading companies including MAN and vehicle control systems developer Wabco.

Che Che Man, a logistics services provider in Chengdu, Sichuan province, was one of Sinotruk's first six clients for its intelligent trucks.

Its purchasing center supervisor, Wang Yabin, said safety was the primary reason they chose the product.

"Three of the five intelligent systems are designed to enhance safety, and the hill start assist and the adaptive cruise control systems will provide great convenience for truck drivers," he said.

"The launch of intelligent trucks means China's development in the field is no longer limited to lab research or tests on specific roads, but has actually entered various sectors of the logistics industry," said Sinotruk President Cai Dong.

He added that intelligent trucks were tested on various Chinese roads for a year to gather data, and they are suitable for carrying hazardous chemicals and for delivering parcels.

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn