Chinese breakthrough
Vladimir Chekhuta Photo by Li Guo Pan and resource 360.che.com
The Chinese government is tightening environmental standards for vehicle exhaust gases, systematically approving new standards. Today, if anyone is not aware, Euro 5 standards apply there, but from 2022 the Euro 6 standard comes into force.
This will initially affect buses, municipal, postal and other urban delivery transport. And from 2022, the new standards will affect everyone, including long-haul heavy trucks.
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Automakers in the Middle Kingdom are now intensively preparing to meet a “wonderful” and “joyful” event for them, which has added more work to the design departments. Don’t think that firstborns will have dizzying prospects. But marketing prospects and the desire to establish themselves as at the forefront of capitalist competition are forcing even small enterprises to take on such complex things as the Euro 6 engine.
The first Chinese truck with an engine of the 6th environmental class was presented by the little-known company Tang Jun (Tang Qun), which also owns the Qingqi brand - “Qingqi”. It produces mainly delivery trucks; at the end of 2022, it presented China's first commercial vehicle, the T-King K7 ZB1041LDC5S, equipped with a domestic engine. The debutant received a 4-cylinder in-line diesel engine "Yunnei" - Yunnei D30TCIF with a maximum power output of 170 hp. The Euro 6 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission WLY6TS55 allows you to reach 130 km/h.
The car is equipped with a 3-seater cabin with a width of 2150 mm, the equipment of which includes air conditioning, a heater, electric windows, electrically adjustable seats, electronic locks, a rear view camera and radar. To transport goods, the vehicle is equipped with an onboard platform with a total length of 4.1 m.
DongFeng
The Chinese dump truck of the DongFeng brand has some differences from other Asian cars due to the fact that the history of its manufacturer spans more than half a century. The company also cooperates with American companies, with which it has a joint design bureau.
A notable feature of DongFeng cargo vans is that they have a towbar as standard. The fuel system of the power units of these vehicles belongs to the Bosch brand. As for the turbocharger and filters, they are manufactured directly by the DongFeng plant. These cars are equipped with a nine-speed gearbox, spare parts for which are not very difficult to find in Russia or order from abroad.
The JAC flagship went into production
– Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd has launched mass production of the new flagship JAC Gallop K7 tractor, designed to operate as part of a 40-ton road train.
The vehicle is equipped with a 12.4-liter 540-horsepower (Euro 5) MC13.54-50 engine from China National Heavy Duty Truck (CNHTC). The new generation ZF 16S25310RO TraXon automated 16-speed gearbox allows you to reach 115 km/h. The interior height of the newest cab is 2130 mm. The volume of the interior space of the cabin reaches 11.6 m3, and the capacity of niches and drawers designed to store the driver’s personal belongings reaches 910 liters.
To increase driver comfort, the cabin was equipped with a multifunction steering wheel with 8 control buttons, 780 mm wide rest shelves, a mini-fridge, a sun visor, a retractable table, a heater and an air conditioner.
The chassis of the car is equipped with air suspension, 7-ton front axle, 18-ton tandem rear suspension and disc brakes with ABS, EBS and ESC function. The curb weight of the truck tractor is 8.8 tons.
Features of Chinese dump trucks
Dump trucks from China successfully make up for the shortage of similar vehicles from the domestic auto industry, while having an advantage over it in the following points:
- Cars are quickly delivered and repaired.
- The main parts are produced at the factories of well-known manufacturers.
- Successful experience of operation all year round in any conditions.
- Good quality at a price lower than competitors.
- No shortage of spare parts.
Like any other cargo equipment, Chinese dump trucks have the following modifications:
- By type of unloading – inclined and forced.
- By body type - bunker, sliding or stable platform.
- In the direction of unloading - universal or in any one direction.
- Lift type: hydraulic, telescopic.
- According to potential load and dimensions from 4x2 to 10x6.
From old series to new
At the end of 2022, at a business conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the FAW J6P series, the management of FAW presented its vision of the marketing strategy for 2022 and new modifications, among which it should be noted the FAW J6P CA4250P66K24T2A1E5 (6×2) long-haul truck tractor with a lifting rear axle.
The truck, designed to operate as part of a long-haul road train with a total weight of 40 tons, received a modernized 6-cylinder, 11-liter FAW Xichai CA6DM2-46E51 CA engine with a power of 460 hp. The engine is coupled with the latest 12-speed automated transmission FAW CA12TAX210M. To reduce weight, the torque converter housing is made of aluminum alloy. With one shift of the lever, the driver can select “automatic” or “manual” driving mode. Based on the current needs, it can set the software priorities of the electronic controller: "power", "fuel economy", "mountain road", "high speed", etc.
The introduction of such “robots” in transmissions is a relatively new trend in the Chinese automobile industry. The price of such a unit is noticeably higher than that of a mechanical unit, but a class of demanding cargo carriers has already formed in China.
The chassis is equipped to match the drive: air suspension, 5.5-tonne steered axle, 11.5-tonne drive axle and 8-tonne lifting axle, i.e. the use of a 6x2 wheel arrangement allows the weight to be reduced by approximately 300 kg compared to the classic 6x4 and save money during operation. The reduction in the truck's curb weight, which is 8.5 tons, was influenced by an 800-liter aluminum alloy fuel tank and other parts made of durable non-metallic materials.
Modern electronic systems include cruise control, a new lane keeping system, collision avoidance technology (cameras and radar), and an ABS braking system.
The beige interior with leather upholstery shows the desire to create a warm, cozy and comfortable environment. Wide (750 mm) shelves for sleeping, plenty of storage space for things and clothes, as well as electrical appliances such as a TV, refrigerator and air conditioner.
By March 2018, sales of the first FAW J7 Eagle 6×4 CA4250P77K25T1E5 models were announced. The cabin has received an updated design with striking headlights and a trapezoidal radiator grille. The new product will be equipped with a choice of 11-liter CA6DM2 engine with 420 or 460 hp. or 13-liter CA6DM3 with 500 and 550 hp. (2600 N∙m) and CA12TAX230M gearbox.
FAW
China produces trucks that are quite diverse, both in their technical characteristics and in appearance. This is due to the rather long history of automobile production in this country. The FAW company was at the origins of this business, creating its first plant in 1953. The reliability of cars of this brand has been proven for decades.
Repairing Chinese FAW trucks in Russia is not very difficult, since in the domestic space the number of these vehicles is constantly increasing, which is why there are more and more companies servicing them. Also, spare parts can be ordered directly from China, which is a fairly economical option.
"Shanxi" for survival
The Chinese company Shaanxi Automobile Group is launching several new model series at once. The old X3000 heavy duty truck range is replaced by the X3. As a football commentator might put it in this situation, there was a “positional substitution.”
A successful demonstrator of the new model range is the Shaanxi X3 440 6x4 SX4250X3L truck tractor, aimed at the coal transportation segment. A vehicle with a curb weight of 8.2 tons is designed to operate as part of a road train with a total weight of 40 tons.
The truck is equipped with a 6-cylinder 12.15-liter Yuchai YC6K1244-50 engine producing 440 hp. (324 kW). The engine is coupled with a Fast 12JSD220T 12-speed manual gearbox. The machine is equipped with a 3-seater cab mounted on a 4-point air suspension, a 7-ton steered front axle, and an 18-ton drive bogie manufactured under license from MAN. The maximum speed of the tractor is 105 km/h.
At the same time, the Shaanxi SX4250XC5 6x6 all-wheel drive heavy truck, belonging to the old X3000 model range, was launched into production. The truck tractor received a 6-cylinder 12.54-liter Weichai WP13.550E501 engine with a maximum power of 550 hp. (405 kW), which produces a maximum torque of 2550 N∙m. The engine is mated to a Fast 16JSD240T 16-speed manual gearbox. The curb weight of the vehicle is 13.52 tons, and the total weight of the tractor should not exceed 25 tons. The vehicle is equipped with two rear axles Hande MAN16T STR. The design of the tractor uses parts made of aluminum alloys, including two fuel tanks with a capacity of 600 liters each.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of production of its cars (February 28), Shaanxi introduces a new line of heavy duty Shacman Delong series H6000 and X6000. The machines are equipped with Weichai WP13, WP12 and Xian-Cummins ISM11E5 engines with a maximum power of 430 to 550 hp, new Shishi S final drives.
In defiance of him, the namesake company (in fact, not related to CNHTC) Shanxi Dayun Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd introduced a new flagship tractor, Shaanxi Dayun N8V, for operation as part of a 40-ton road train.
The tractor is equipped with a 6-cylinder 11.59-liter Weihai WP12 430E50 engine with a power of 430 hp, producing a maximum torque of 2060 N∙m. The power unit is paired with a 12-speed manual gearbox Fast 12JSD240TA. The curb weight of the Dayun N8V is 8.8 tons. The vehicle is equipped with 13-ton drive axles. The maximum speed of the truck reaches 105 km/h.
Trucks from China on the Russian market
Russian open spaces necessitate a large number of trucks. Delivery of a variety of cargo throughout the country requires the company to have a large staff of vehicles. Therefore, domestic entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to their Chinese neighbors. Since the countries border, the delivery time is shorter than when choosing equipment from European or Western countries.
Gonow Way
The company produces mainly small Chinese trucks. The most widespread are representatives of the small GAC model range. They are equipped with a 1 liter petrol and diesel engine. This motor can produce up to 60 hp. With. Suitable for running private business.
Shaanxi Shacman 4186 (4×2)
The production began back in 2013, when powerful tractors began to gain popularity. The Chinese company released a comfortable model that had one berth for the crew. Also, it had good power characteristics and could move a 40-ton coal car.
Sinotruk Howo
The concern produces many varieties of different tractors and trucks. The company’s equipment is distinguished by the following qualities:
- All models are equipped with a high-quality Euro 2.3 diesel engine.
- Traction power reaches 400 hp. With.
- The frame design is strong and reliable because hardened steel is used as raw material, and welding is carried out by a precise manipulator.
- The designers took into account the specifics of working on the equipment and installed a rotating step in the car body. It is needed to make wiping the windshield easier.
- Driving safety has been increased. For this purpose, custom-designed underrun protection systems were used. Stabilizers were also installed, thanks to which the cabin is securely fixed to the drive wheels.
- Smooth movement is achieved using a floating suspension. It ensures safe transportation of cargo.
- The pilot's seat has been specially designed to not put strain on the lower back and reduce the likelihood of poor circulation.
- The on-board computer has a modern control system that displays the necessary data on the display.
- There are configurations with a larger fuel tank. An additional 100 liters will allow you to make long journeys without refueling.
JAC N75
A truck specially designed to operate in poor road surfaces and adverse weather conditions. It is equipped with a diesel engine that produces up to 160 hp. With. The cabin equipment allows you to adjust all the necessary functions and modes to a specific situation.
BAW
One of the largest concerns that produces mainly commercial vehicles of various types. BAW products are distinguished by their practicality and unpretentiousness. The company independently develops and invents new methods to improve work. For this purpose, our own scientific and technical base was built. The company's specialists often exchange experience with foreign business partners. Several BAW factories have been built in Russia.
FAW
All products of this concern are of high quality. This has allowed it to take a leading role in the Chinese commercial and freight transport market. Chinese designers constantly collaborate with Western colleagues to improve the quality of their cars. FAW products are supplied not only to Russia, but also to many countries around the world. Even American buyers note the low price and appropriate quality.
The brand was founded in 1973. The first to roll off the assembly line was a powerful, 4-ton monster. It was first noticed by buyers from Jordan, who needed inexpensive equipment for transporting heavy loads. In 1993, the Chinese market was flooded with FAW equipment. And in 2000, mass sales abroad began. At most truck exhibitions you can find the company's products.
YUEJIN NJ
Standard Chinese cargo unit. The model is already outdated, and production is already planned to stop. Load capacity up to one ton. There are several varieties of NJ, which differ in the size of the cabin and the type of fuel used.
Foton
A relatively young company. Widely distributed on the Russian market. It produces high-quality trucks that can compete with European and Western analogues. Some designers were invited from Germany, this is noticeable in the latest models of the company.
DongFeng DFL
DongFeng DFL 5251 GJBA1
An inexpensive Chinese concrete truck that can take up to 12 tons at a time. This is almost ten cubic meters of concrete mixture. To improve ride quality and increase comfort, pneumatic and leaf spring suspensions are installed.
DongFeng DFL 3251 A
Powerful Chinese car produced in 2008. Equipped with six wheels and a 9 liter engine. The engine is capable of producing up to 400 hp. With. This, combined with increased carrying capacity, allows it to transport up to 20 tons.
Shaanxi Shacman
At the plant, which has an area of more than 56 thousand square meters. m. the Chinese installed modern German-made equipment. Thanks to this, all trucks coming off the assembly line have enhanced performance and high quality. Welding equipment was also imported. Equipment from the popular Swedish brand ABB was suitable for this purpose. There are practically no people in production; their work is performed by modern robots, which are controlled by specially developed software.
The manufacturer spares no expense in equipping the workshops, and therefore German painting and drying technologies were chosen. Its essence is to use excess heat. This allows us to reduce the volume of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The production of this concern is recognized as the most environmentally friendly in the entire country.
CAMC 3310 (8*4 dump truck)
Released in 2008, the truck is an improved version of the previous model. Two additional wheels were added, and the load capacity and engine power were increased. The truck can transport cargo with a total weight of up to 24 tons.
HOWO Concrete Mixer Truck
A popular Chinese concrete truck. For more than 10 years it has been a leader among similar types of cars. This is due to the ability to transport 20 tons of ready-made cement mixture at a time, and the low price.
Beifang Benchi
An independent Chinese company that has been operating in the truck market for more than 20 years.
Beifang Benchi ND3250S
An unusual model of a powerful truck. With an engine of only 280 hp. With. it is capable of carrying up to 20 tons of cargo.
Beifang Benchi ND3310S
Large dump truck capable of transporting 24 tons. It has a 360 hp engine. With. which allows you to overcome steep slopes even when fully loaded.
CAMC
CAMC brand trucks are characterized by increased power and durability. High-quality alloys and precision equipment allow them to be used in the most extreme conditions. They are most widely used as mining dump trucks. They are also used for transporting construction materials and in various industries.
A design feature of CAMC trucks is a double-layer frame, which is made from hardened stainless steel. Thanks to the reliable frame and the absence of dynamic loads, the wear time of all machine components increases. The gas exhaust system is designed so that the exhaust transfers heat to the platform. This allows you to protect the transported cargo from freezing.
For Russian buyers there are favorable terms of cooperation and low prices for all models. This is due to the manufacturing enterprise located in the country.
J.M.C.
One of the leading Chinese automobile companies in Russia. JMC products consist of light trucks capable of transporting up to 3 tons of materials. Models are available with three options for luggage compartment: onboard, tent and isothermal.
The trucks are small in size and equipped with a 90 hp engine. With. When fully loaded, they can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h. The gearbox has five speeds, including reverse.
Naveco C30
A joint venture between Italian and Chinese companies. The quality of the equipment produced is evidenced by the fact that even in the conditions of the global crisis, the company’s sales level continues to grow.
Manufacturers have high hopes for the company's lightweight new product - Naveco C30. The model is focused on the Russian market and CIS countries.
Eastern winds
Dongfeng (or dongfeng), which means east wind, is growing into sub-brands that hide different and dissimilar models.
At the end of 2022, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, at an automobile exhibition, the debut display of trucks from Dongfeng (Shiyan) Special Vehicle Co., Ltd from Shiyan (Hubei Province), which was created with the direct participation of DFMC Corporation, took place.
Among the new products of the debutant of the major league, the Huashen T3 270 EQ5180XXYFV1 4×2 van with a curb weight of 9 tons was demonstrated. An in-line 6.7-liter diesel engine DF-Cummins ISD 270-50 with a power of 270 hp. develops a maximum torque of 970 N∙m at 1300–1500 rpm and is paired with a 9-speed manual transmission FAST 9JS119TB., which allows you to reach a speed of 125 km/h.
The truck is equipped with a T702W project cab manufactured by Shiyan, a subsidiary of Dongfeng. The chassis is equipped with a 5-tonne steered axle and a 10-tonne drive axle. To transport various cargoes, the vehicle is equipped with an all-metal body 7250 mm long.
The Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd division (also a division of DFMC in Liuzhou in southern China) is developing a line of Chenglong T5 medium-duty truck tractors. The bonneted truck was specially adapted to a semi-trailer designed to transport passenger cars.
Chenglong T5 230 LZ4180T5AB (4x2) received a 6-cylinder, in-line Weichai WP7 270E51 engine with a 7.47 liter displacement and a power output of 230 hp. and 1250 N∙m of torque. The Fast 8JS118A 8-speed manual gearbox allows you to reach 100 km/h.
With a car wheelbase of 5250 mm, the overall length was some 7.44 m. The curb weight of the tractor does not exceed 6 tons, and the total weight of the road train is 33.1 tons. The front axle is designed for a maximum load of 6495 kg, and the drive axle is designed for 11,500 kg.
The car transporter is equipped with two aluminum fuel tanks with a capacity of 450 liters each, WABCO disc brakes with an electronic control system and ABS function, cruise control, an auxiliary heater, a tachograph and tires measuring 295/80 R22.5.
At the beginning of 2018, the same company released the Chenglong 580 H7 (6x4) truck tractor, equipped with the latest 580-horsepower Yuchai engine. The truck is designed to drive 40-ton road trains and is aimed at the premium segment of high-speed logistics.
So, the new Chinese “champion” is equipped with a 12.94-liter, 580-horsepower in-line six Yuchai YC6K1358-50, which produces a maximum torque of 2550 N∙m in the range of 1100–1500 rpm. By the way, until recently, the most powerful Chinese engine of the China-5 standard was considered to be the 560-horsepower C13 diesel engine (analogue of Cursor 13), produced by the Chinese-Italian joint venture SAIC-IVECO Hongyan Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd. The engine is mated to a 12-speed manual gearbox Fast 12JSDX240TA (the last letter “A” stands for aluminum alloy body). The FS160 axles are designed for an 18-ton load (vehicle curb weight is 8.8 tons) and the high-power final drive in high gear allows the vehicle to reach 100 km/h.
The standard includes air suspension of the chassis with electronic control ECAS, aluminum rims of Alcoa wheels, two aluminum fuel tanks with a volume of 400+600 liters, WABCO disc brakes with an electronic controller and ABS function, cruise control, GPS navigator, and a tachograph. In a double cabin, the width of the sleeping bunk is 780 mm; the second bunk is installed only upon request.
Unidentified cargo-carrying objects - a phenomenon of the Chinese car market
The phenomenon of the Chinese truck market is that today it remains poorly understood.
Moreover, even the Chinese Ministry of Industry cannot give specific figures. Most likely, this is due to the fact that, in addition to a couple of dozen well-known brands, there appear every now and then, managing to release one or two models.
Moreover, not all manufacturers can identify competitors. Large companies sell their components on a colossal scale, which allows small firms to produce their trucks with an abundance of other people's parts. Cabins, engines, axles and gearboxes are often made by independent companies that sell them to both the former and the latter.
In his material for Auto Review, Maxim Chernyavsky describes the current trend as follows: “During my visit to the Dongfeng plant, there was clearly a new truck standing near the workshop with an unknown emblem, but on brand components. Neither the director nor the chief designer of the plant could answer what kind of machine this was.”
Second row trucks
In addition to the main producers and their satellites, small companies that produce very high-quality products are widely represented on the Chinese market.
The Chinese company Baotou Bei Ben Heavy-Duty Truck Co., Ltd has expanded its product line of heavy trucks with the Beiben V3MT series, which includes a specialized tractor model ND4250BD5J7Z07, adapted for transporting dangerous goods as part of a road train with a gross weight of 40 tons. For this segment the vehicle is properly prepared: protected exhaust system, large curb weight (8.2 tons) to ensure a high coefficient of adhesion, high traction at cruising speed (Beiben has a maximum speed of 80 km/h), reinforced low-mounted control system, fuel reserve of at least 600 liters . The load on the front axle is 7 tons, and on the drive bogie - 18 tons.
The Beiben V3MT 430 6x4 received a 6-cylinder 11.6-liter engine from the Chinese company Weichai WP12.430E50 with a power of 430 hp, producing a maximum torque of 2060 N∙m in the range of 1000–1400 rpm. High traction is provided by a 12-speed manual gearbox 12JS200TA.
The trucks are equipped with the new K4 cab, manufactured under license from Mercedes-Benz. The cabin is mounted on a 4-point suspension. Control buttons are built into the hub of the multifunction steering wheel. The standard includes air conditioning, heater, tachograph, GPS navigator and electric windows.
C&C Trucks Co., Ltd. also had some new products, which, after five years of silence, launched a new E-series of heavy trucks into mass production. This Chinese automaker is quite young, and its model line previously included U and V series trucks. Externally, the new E series range is distinguished by a cab without protruding side reflectors. It is difficult to understand the functional significance of this change; most likely, this was done for aesthetic and marketing reasons.
The new 3-axle tractor unit C&C E420 6×4 QCC4252D654M is designed for work in the “accelerated logistics” segment as part of a road train with a gross weight of 40 tons, therefore a maximum speed of 110 km/h. In-line 6-cylinder 10.3-liter turbodiesel Yuchai YC6K1042-50 with a power of 420 hp. aggregated with a 12-speed manual gearbox Fast 12JSD180TA.
The curb weight of the chassis is 8805 kg, and the total weight of the vehicle should not exceed 25 tons (the load on the front axle of the tractor truck is 7 tons).
Pros and cons of Chinese trucks
Every year the demand for Chinese trucks (China truck) is growing. Because in a growing industry, it is more profitable for buyers to order cheap and reliable cars from China than to buy expensive ones from Europe and America. Trucks from the Middle Kingdom have the following advantages:
- Lower price relative to similar units.
- Fast delivery to any location.
- Excellent technical characteristics.
- Availability of spare parts in auto stores.
- All equipment is certified.
It is worth mentioning the disadvantages, because it is unknown how many shortcomings are hidden behind the low price. In order not to be disappointed by purchasing a car from China, you need to be aware of the following disadvantages:
- The heavy congestion at the Chinese customs border is accompanied by disruptions in the supply of spare parts.
- A small amount of equipment on the Russian car market.
- The quality and durability of use are noticeably lower than their European counterparts.
- Additional costs for delivery and customs clearance.
However, given how many shortcomings Chinese designs have, people continue to buy them. This equipment is of lower quality than expensive European equipment, but it is able to withstand the necessary loads and perform the assigned tasks. Therefore, despite all the disadvantages, the demand for them is growing.
Every year more and more specialized auto repair shops and technical centers appear in the CIS countries. There you can make a complete repair or carry out diagnostics.
Simplifying the approach
The Sino-Korean joint venture Sichuan Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd (CMHC) has launched a simplified Chido model into mass production. This truck is aimed at cargo carriers who require reliable, no-frills vehicles with a very affordable price, as opposed to the premium Hyundai Trago Xcient line (see “GP” No. 10, 2013) with 410- and 480-horsepower engines.
That is why the Hyundai Chido range uses non-Korean imported components and the classic Chinese “golden chain” of components: Weichai Power engines, Fast transmissions and Hande axles.
The Hyundai Chido 800W (4x2) truck tractor model CNJ4180KPG36V is equipped with a 9.7-liter Weichai WP10.310E53 turbodiesel with a power of 310 hp. (1500 N∙m) and 9-speed “mechanics” Fast 9JSD150. The chassis includes a 7-ton front axle and an 11-ton Hande drive axle, which limits the total weight of the road train to 34.5 tons and the speed limit to 100 km/h. The curb weight of the truck is 7.3 tons, and its total weight does not exceed 18 tons.
Foton
Foton is also one of the young Chinese enterprises that appeared in the 90s. Due to the fact that the company is state-owned, it has confidently become a market leader. Foton is considered to be the most reliable of the Chinese manufacturers, as its products comply with ISO 9001 standards.
The company has received several important awards in the past few years that have affected its sales. Now spare parts for Foton are not in short supply in Russia, so repairing this Chinese mini truck if necessary is not a problem, no matter how complex and large-scale the breakdown.
