2018 marked a significant period for the Chinese truck market in Vietnam. Amidst economic growth, the increasing demand for freight transportation led to significant interest in trucks, particularly in the medium and light-duty segments. Chinese trucks, with their competitive pricing, rapidly captured a notable market share. This article will evaluate the Chinese truck market in 2018, providing an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges these trucks present to the Vietnamese transportation industry. We’ll also highlight models like the Kenbo 990Kg truck – a prime example of the popularity of Chinese trucks during this period.
Overview of the Chinese Truck Market in 2018
2018 witnessed a considerable growth of the Chinese truck market in many countries, including Vietnam. Chinese truck manufacturers continuously improved their technology, designs, and product quality to meet the increasing demands of the international market.
Prominent Trends
One of the most prominent trends in the Chinese truck market in 2018 was the focus on light and medium-duty truck segments. These trucks are particularly well-suited to the urban and rural traffic conditions in Vietnam, where roads are often narrow and the need for small to medium-sized freight transport is prevalent.
Besides, pricing remained a major competitive advantage for Chinese trucks. In 2018, the price of Chinese trucks was generally significantly lower than those from Japan, South Korea, or Europe, making it easier for small and medium-sized transportation businesses and individual entrepreneurs to access and invest.
Key Market Segments
The Chinese truck market in 2018 was clearly segmented to meet diverse user needs:
- Light-duty trucks: This segment includes trucks with a payload of under 5 tons, mainly serving the needs of transporting goods within cities and surrounding areas. The Kenbo 990Kg truck is a typical example in this segment.
- Medium-duty trucks: With a payload of 5 to 15 tons, the medium-duty truck segment meets the need for transporting goods on longer routes, inter-provincially, or between economic zones.
- Heavy-duty trucks: The heavy-duty truck segment, including tractor trucks and dump trucks, serves construction projects, mining operations, and the transport of oversized and overweight goods.
Kenbo 990Kg truck on a paved road
Chinese Trucks in Vietnam in 2018: Detailed Analysis
Vietnam is an important market for Chinese trucks. In 2018, the number of Chinese trucks imported and sold in Vietnam increased sharply. This can be explained by several key factors:
The Rise of Affordable Chinese Trucks
Price is always a decisive factor for many Vietnamese transportation businesses, especially in a highly competitive environment. Chinese trucks in 2018 stood out with their attractive prices, suitable for the financial capabilities of many customer segments. This created a wave of preference for Chinese trucks, particularly in the light and medium-duty segments.
Kenbo 990Kg Truck Review – A Typical Representative
The Kenbo 990Kg truck, assembled by the Chien Thang automobile factory in joint venture with BAIC Group of China, is a typical example of the success of Chinese trucks in Vietnam in 2018. This model was quickly embraced by the market due to its compact design, agile operation in urban areas, and affordable price.
Engine and Operation: The Kenbo 990Kg truck is equipped with a 1342 cm3 gasoline engine, meeting Euro 4 emission standards, combined with a 5-speed manual transmission. This engine delivers 94 horsepower, powerful enough to operate in Vietnamese road conditions and carry a payload of nearly 1 ton.
Close-up of the Kenbo 990kg truck engine
Truck Bed: With an internal bed size of 2.61m x 1.51m, the Kenbo 990Kg truck has an advantage in cargo space compared to many competitors in the same segment. The truck bed is designed to be sturdy, meeting the needs of transporting a variety of goods.
Kenbo 990Kg truck parked on a street
Cabin and Interior: The Kenbo 990Kg truck cabin is designed with a long nose style, providing more space and safety for the driver and co-driver. The interior is equipped with basic amenities such as air conditioning, radio, USB port, creating comfort for users during operation.
Interior of the Kenbo 990kg truck, showing the dashboard and seats
Pros and Cons of Chinese Trucks in 2018
Advantages:
- Competitive price: This is the biggest advantage, helping Chinese trucks reach a wide range of customers.
- Diverse models: Chinese manufacturers constantly launch new models with increasingly improved designs and features.
- Suitable for Vietnamese terrain conditions: Many Chinese light and medium-duty trucks are designed to operate well on narrow roads and complex terrain.
Disadvantages:
- Quality and durability: Compared to Japanese, Korean, or European truck brands, the quality and durability of Chinese trucks are still an issue that needs to be improved.
- After-sales service: The after-sales service and spare parts network for Chinese trucks is not yet as widely developed and professional as other major brands.
- Brand and reputation: Some customers are still concerned about the brand and reputation of Chinese trucks.
Impact of the Chinese Truck Market in 2018 on Vietnamese Consumers
The Chinese truck market in 2018 has had many impacts on Vietnamese consumers:
- Opportunity to access cheap trucks: Consumers have more choices of trucks at affordable prices, helping to reduce initial investment costs.
- Promoting competition: The emergence of Chinese trucks has created great competition in the market, forcing other manufacturers to improve their products and services to retain customers.
- Diversification of options: The market has become more diverse with many different truck models, meeting the diverse transportation needs of consumers.
Conclusion
An evaluation of the Chinese truck market in 2018 shows that this was an important period with many opportunities and challenges. Chinese trucks, with their price advantage and diverse models, have made significant strides in the Vietnamese market. The Kenbo 990Kg truck is a testament to the popularity of this type of vehicle.
However, to develop sustainably, Chinese truck manufacturers need to continue to improve product quality, improve after-sales service and build brand reputation. On the consumer side, choosing Chinese trucks needs to be based on careful consideration between price, quality and actual usage needs.
In the context of an increasingly competitive truck market, evaluating the Chinese truck market in 2018 and subsequent periods is extremely important to make wise investment and business decisions. If you are looking for a truck that suits your transportation needs, please contact Xe Tải Mỹ Đình for the best advice and support.
