MAN to boost truck sales 40% in China this year

Shanghai, January 26 (Gasgoo.com) German commercial-vehicle maker MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Group plans to boost its heavy-duty truck sales in China by 40% this year and further expand its market share in the premium heavy truck imports, China Daily reported today.

Last year, the world's third largest truck-maker accounted for 75% of the 5,000 heavy-duty trucks imported and sold in the Chinese market. "We are planning to sell more heavy-duty trucks this year," said Benny Lim, president of MAN Truck and Bus China.

"The good sales performance boosted our market share in China's premium heavy-truck market last year. We are confident of growing our market share further in the next few years as there still exists immense untapped potential," said Lim.

Commercial vehicles from MAN have been a feature on Chinese roads for many years now, with more than 70% of MAN and its Steyr trucks locally made under technology license.

In October, MAN bought a 25% stake in Sinotruk, the Hong Kong-listed unit of heavy-duty truck maker China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group Co, for 560 million euros.

Since its China operations started in 2004, the German firm has sold commercial vehicles and diesel engines in the country, apart from partnering in bus projects.