2025 Liangshan Special Purpose Vehicle Exhibition: New Energy Leads, Global Layout Accelerates

The 21st China (Liangshan) Special Purpose Vehicle Exhibition grandly opened at the Liangshan International Convention and Exhibition Center on September 17, 2025. Organized by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the Shandong Automobile Industry Association, and hosted by the Liangshan Special Purpose Vehicle Industry Association, the exhibition maintained the previous year's theme of "Building Brands, Enhancing Quality, and Planning Transformation".

According to data provided by the organizers, the exhibition covered an area of 100,000 square meters, with 60,000 square meters dedicated to complete vehicles and 40,000 square meters for components. It attracted over 600 enterprises, comprehensively presenting the entire ecosystem of the special purpose vehicle industry chain. 

1. Diverse product categories meet multi-faceted market demands

The exhibition featured a wide array of innovative special purpose vehicles for various applications. The venue resembled a "hundred-flower garden" of specialized transportation. The displays ranged from transport-type vehicles like vans and semi-trailers, to engineering vehicles such as concrete mixer trucks and flatbed transporters, to municipal service vehicles including sanitation trucks and fire engines, as well as special operation vehicles like aerial work platforms and wreckers, covering almost all common models in the field. 

China National Heavy Duty Truck Group (CNHTC) participated as a host manufacturer, showcasing nine vehicle models. These included the Howo TX new energy series and the Sitrak G7M new energy special purpose vehicle, covering sectors such as wrecking, sanitation, and aerial work. Companies like Huayu Group, Tianhong Auto, Tongya Auto, and Shengrun Auto also presented their highlight models in the dedicated exhibition area. 

The core components zone focused on the trends of "lightweight, intelligent, and electric," highlighting innovations such as high-performance axles, air suspension, electronic control systems, and high-durability composite materials. For instance, Huaxing Technology launched a 1200 MPa high-strength steel material that helps reduce the weight of trailer products.

2. Strong rise of export-oriented products accelerates global layout

A distinctive feature of this year's exhibition was the prominent display of export-oriented special purpose vehicles, demonstrating the international competitiveness of China's industry. Supported by favorable policies, China's special purpose vehicle industry has been expanding its global presence. Products like flatbed semi-trailers, low-bed semi-trailers, and side-curtain vans have become major exports due to their cost-effectiveness and reliable quality. 

China's export markets for special purpose vehicles have expanded from traditional developing regions like Southeast Asia and Africa to developed markets including Europe and the Americas. Products from Liangshan County are sold domestically and exported to 90 countries across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. The event attracted numerous international visitors and even exhibitors from abroad, reflecting the current prosperity of China's special purpose vehicle exports.

3. New energy trend becomes distinct, green transformation advances

Driven by the "Dual Carbon" goals, new energy has become a crucial direction for the commercial vehicle industry. At the exhibition, the trend toward new energy chassis was particularly evident. Among the heavy-duty truck chassis and tractor models on display, new energy products from leading brands such as CNHTC, FAW Jiefang, Shacman, BYD, XCMG, and Sany stood out as significant highlights. 

The substantial presence of new energy chassis products indicates that the industry is actively embracing new energy transformation, increasing investment in research and development, and steering products toward greener, low-carbon, and intelligent upgrades. On-site displays included over 300 vehicles, with new energy special purpose vehicles accounting for more than 30% and intelligent special purpose vehicles reaching 25%, showcasing the industry's development trend towards "greening, intellectualization, and high-endization".

The 21st China (Liangshan) Special Purpose Vehicle Exhibition demonstrated the latest achievements and future trends of China's special purpose vehicle industry through its rich exhibits, diverse technological pathways, and international perspective. The three highlights—diverse product categories, the rise of export-oriented products, and the clear trend of new energy adoption—not only reflect the sector's strength and vitality but also forecast its future direction.

Against the backdrop of global energy transformation and industrial upgrading, China's special purpose vehicle industry is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. To secure a more important position in the global market and contribute to the high-quality development of China's automotive industry, enterprises must adhere to innovation-driven growth, green development, and deepen international cooperation.