FOTON aims to develop its second growth curve in overseas markets through 'industry chain collaboration + localized industrialization.' It also seeks diversified development through localized industrial chain partnerships, ensuring the sustainable growth of regional operational hubs in Thailand, Indonesia, and beyond.
On November 27, FOTON launched its 2025 Asia-Pacific Partner Conference under the theme 'Together Win Future' at its newly completed factory in Bangkok, Thailand. The prestigious event was attended by over 400 guests, including Jiang Wei, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, Mr. Akanat Promphan, Thailand's Minister of Industry, Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of Thailand's Board of Investment, Chang Rui, Chairman of Foton Motor, Lu Zhenghua, Executive Vice President of Foton Motor, Li Shaozhu, Vice Chairman of CP Group, Nopadol Chiaravanont, Vice Chairman-Industrial Business Group of CP Group, representatives from global partners such as CATL, Cummins, ZF, as well as industry customers, media, and Asia-Pacific distributors were also present to witness the event. The conference marked a major milestone for FOTON, showcasing its commitment to regional collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific commercial vehicle market.
Milestones Achieved: Plant Completion & Millionth Export Vehicle
Marking 20 years of 'going global,' FOTON has progressed from 'product exports' to the advanced stage of 'localized deep operations in the international industrial chain.' By driving strategic growth with global partners, Foton has established 22 KD factories worldwide and achieved sustained and stable performance growth. At the event, FOTON celebrated the completion of its Thailand manufacturing plant and the rollout of its one-millionth export vehicle, marking a major milestone with total overseas exports officially surpassing 1 million units.
FOTON's Thailand factory, jointly established with the CP FOTON Joint Venture Company, spans approximately 37,000 square meters. The facility is designed to develop a full range of commercial vehicle products, including heavy-duty trucks, medium-duty trucks, light trucks, buses, and new energy series. Equipped with comprehensive production facilities such as assembly workshops, testing and debugging areas, quality inspection stations, and logistics warehouses, the factory has achieved KD localization operations. Currently, the factory's production lines cover medium and heavy-duty trucks, light duty trucks, mini trucks, and buses. In line with Thailand's government-driven environmental goals a nd the shift toward automotive electrification, FOTON plans to fully introduce its new energy commercial vehicle production lines. This development will bring cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions to Thailand and the Southeast Asian region.
Mr. Jiang Wei, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, extended congratulations to FOTON. Mr. Jiang remarked that China and Thailand are closely connected geographically and culturally, and under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, the building of the China-Thailand community of shared destiny has been advancing steadily. He expressed hope for the continued success of FOTON and CP Group, contributing to Thailand's digital and green transformation while injecting new vitality into Sino-Thai economic and trade cooperation. Mr. Jiang also encouraged FOTON to further enhance its localization efforts in Thailand, fostering integration with local industries and society to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, thereby deepening the construction of the China-Thailand community of shared destiny.
New Energy, New Ecosystem: Shaping FOTON's Second Growth Curve
Chang Rui, Chairman of Foton Motor, stated that the FOTON has established a comprehensive business architecture integrating vehicles, components, digital technology, and commercial ecosystems worldwide. Against the backdrop of global 'dual-carbon' goals, FOTON is leveraging its strengths in core new energy modules such as power batteries, electric drives, electronic controls, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and hybrid systems. FOTON is also making continuous investments in intelligent, electric, and connected technologies to solidify its leadership in new energy advancements. Globally, FOTON is building an aftermarket ecosystem that includes fleet management systems, used vehicles, parts, and financial services. It is also advancing new energy ecosystem such as rental-sales synergy, battery banks, charging and swapping infrastructure, and data services to achieve a comprehensive new energy ecosystem layout. By capitalizing on its core new energy modules and technological advantages, FOTON aims to develop its second growth curve in overseas markets through 'industry chain collaboration + localized industrialization.' It also seeks diversified development through localized industrial chain partnerships, ensuring the sustainable growth of regional operational hubs in Thailand, Indonesia, and beyond.
'We're upgrading from product exports to localized deep operations in the international industrial chain. Currently, FOTON has already established an industrial cluster in Thailand and plans to further expand into markets such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Through close collaboration with local industry leaders, various strategic cooperation projects are gradually being implemented. FOTON will explore the diversified win-win road with its partners through equity investment, technical cooperation and other modes.' said Ma Rentao, Vice President of Foton Motor.
Thanakorn Seriburi, Senior Vice Chairman of CP Group mentioned, 'Thailand serves as a pivotal strategic base for FOTON's exports of commercial vehicles to ASEAN and the global market, playing a crucial role in its overseas operations. The FOTON's Thailand factory jointly established by the CP Group and FOTON focuses on the manufacturing of clean energy commercial vehicles, including Euro 5-compliant and fully electric commercial vehicles, fully committing to accelerating Thailand's industries towards a net-zero future.'
GREEN3030 Strategy Launch: Upgrading the Global Carbon-Neutral 'FOTON Solution'
At the conference, Lu Zhenghua, Executive Vice President of Foton Motor, shared the growth journey and remarkable achievements of FOTON over its 20-year journey overseas. He also elaborated on the 'GREEN 3030' internationalization strategy, which encompasses 'High-Quality and Scalable Growth (Growth), Regional Depth in Manufacturing and Operations (Region), Leading in New Energy Commercial Vehicles (EV), Full Ecosystem Value Chain Operations (Ecosystem), and Global Resource Integration (Network).' This strategy aims to achieve overseas sales of 300,000 vehicles by 2030, with 30% of these being new energy vehicles.
New energy strategy stands as FOTON's top priority. In the realm of new energy, FOTON is committed to green and low-carbon development, and specifying the action plan for low-carbon and green development across the entire value chain, based on the carbon footprint throughout the product's life cycle. At the conference, Qin Zhidong, Vice President of Foton Motor, stated, 'FOTON is dedicated to providing solutions for the energy revolution and becoming an international enterprise that leads in green technology and the market. With 'new energy + intelligence' as our main focus, we adhere to the principle of utilizing electricity, hydrogen, and hybrid technologies where suitable, and pursue multiple technological pathways simultaneously to create globally leading green, low-carbon, and intelligent products. We empower our partners through advancements in vehicle technology and energy replenishment, offering integrated solutions to our customers.'
Building a New Chapter of Asia Pacific Strategy
With significant volumes of merchandise trade, a superior business environment, vast population demands, and ever-growing urban construction needs, the Asia-Pacific region has maintained steady economic growth and emerged as a pivotal force on the international stage. This region accounts for approximately 30% of the global commercial vehicle market share, and its unique geographical advantages pave the way for Foton Motor's internationalization strategy.
At the conference, Fu Jun, Vice President of Foton Motor, President of Foton International, stated, 'FOTON is committed to providing a full range of commercial vehicle products, encompassing both traditional and new energy sources, and planning for the next generation of product lines. With high-standard design, craftsmanship, and quality, we aim to thoroughly penetrate the Asia-Pacific market. We will establish the '3+X' manufacturing hub in the Asia-Pacific region and collaborate with international partners to strengthen our market position through managing global key customer relationships, innovating ecosystem construction, ensuring parts availability, and providing logistical and human resource support.'
“SPARK+GREEN POWER”:Two Power Alliances Established to Build a New Energy Ecology
As the global automotive industry undergoes an unprecedented and profound transformation, the demand for complete vehicles and efficient power systems has become increasingly prominent. Building an industrial ecosystem that integrates completeness, efficiency, and synergy has become crucial for driving the industry's sustained prosperity and healthy development. Facing this historic wave of change, Foton Motor, leveraging its deep expertise in the field of complete vehicles, actively embraces the transformation and collaborates with numerous industry leaders to jointly explore the frontiers of application for the synergy between complete vehicles and power systems, to provide users with more environmentally friendly, efficient, and reliable travel solutions.
During the conference, FOTON together with global New energy suppliers including CATL, TELD, EVE, ENNEAGON ENERGY, and WHA, jointly established the 'GreenPower Alliance'. By sharing resources, collaborating on research and development, optimizing supply chain management, and other measures, alliance members will jointly enhance the performance of new energy vehicle products, reduce costs, and improve market competitiveness. At the same time, in the traditional energy sector, FOTON AUCAN power has teamed up with industry leaders including Cummins, ZF, Yuchai, Fast, and Fangsheng, to form 'SPARK Partners'. This alliance aims to integrate high-end technical resources within the industry, jointly develop and promote efficient and reliable power system solutions, and accurately respond to the expectations of global customers for high-quality power systems.
The establishment of the two super power alliances marks a solid and significant step forward for FOTON on the path of building an integrated vehicle industry ecosystem. By partnering deeply with globally renowned enterprises, FOTON is driving the widespread adoption and in-depth application of new energy vehicles and efficient power systems worldwide with unprecedented efforts. The dual development approach of 'pure electric + hybrid' injects robust momentum into Foton Motor's steady expansion in the global market.
During the event, FOTON also unveiled its new energy vehicles tailored for the Asia-Pacific market, including the eMILER, eTUNLAND, and eAUMAN. Additionally, it made bulk deliveries of pure electric heavy-duty trucks to international logistics customers such as NPS, officially kicking off the comprehensive implementation of Foton Motor's Asia-Pacific strategy.
The successful hosting of the FOTON Asia-Pacific Partner Conference 2025 not only demonstrates FOTON's firm determination and robust capabilities in its globalization strategy but also provides its partners in the Asia-Pacific region with a broad development platform and cooperation opportunities. In the future, FOTON will continue to uphold the concept of open cooperation, deepen economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and jointly promote the prosperous development of the regional economy.
