Dongfeng Enters Autonomous Logistics Vehicle Market with OpenVAN Brand
June 08,2026
The launch event was held on June 6 in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, where DFAC also unveiled the DF-2, DF-8, DF-25 and DF-60 autonomous logistics vehicles.
According to the company, the OpenVAN brand combines an open technology platform, manufacturing capabilities and partnership ecosystem with intelligent transport solutions aimed at improving logistics efficiency.
DFAC said the new brand received orders for more than 4,000 vehicles during the launch event. Customers came from sectors including logistics, equipment manufacturing, municipal services, retail distribution and new energy operations.
Targeting a Growing Autonomous Logistics Market
The launch comes as China's logistics industry continues to seek solutions that can reduce operating costs, improve efficiency and address labor shortages.
At the same time, advances in L4 autonomous driving technology, lower hardware costs and improved AI algorithms are accelerating the commercialization of autonomous logistics vehicles.
China is also expanding policy support for autonomous transportation. Regulations related to L4 autonomous driving are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, while local governments across all 31 provincial-level regions have introduced policies supporting the deployment of autonomous delivery vehicles.
Industry forecasts suggest annual sales of autonomous VAN vehicles could reach 100,000 to 150,000 units by 2026 and increase to between 600,000 and one million units by 2030.
Against this backdrop, DFAC has launched the OpenVAN product range to address emerging demand for autonomous freight transportation.
Four Models Cover Multiple Logistics Applications
The OpenVAN portfolio consists of four models with different payload and cargo capacities.
The DF-2 is designed for last-mile delivery, road inspection and light sanitation operations. It offers a cargo volume of 2 cubic meters, a payload capacity of 1 tonne and a driving range of 120 km.
The DF-8 targets urban logistics applications such as supermarket distribution and cold-chain transportation. It provides 8 cubic meters of cargo space, a payload capacity of 2.8 tonnes and a range of between 150 km and 195 km.
The DF-25 is intended for logistics operations typically served by 4.2-meter light-duty trucks. It features a cargo volume of 25 cubic meters, a payload capacity of 4 tonnes and a range of 300 km.
The largest model, the DF-60, offers 60 cubic meters of cargo space, a payload capacity of 13.6 tonnes and a range of 200 km. It is designed for larger freight transport applications in the 9-12 meter vehicle segment.
Autonomous Driving, Drive-by-Wire and Cloud Connectivity
OpenVAN vehicles are built around three core technology systems.
The first is an autonomous driving platform jointly developed by DFAC and Jiushi Intelligent. The system uses an end-to-end AI architecture with computing power exceeding 500 TOPS and has accumulated more than 130 million kilometers of L4 autonomous driving validation.
The second is a drive-by-wire chassis architecture. Braking, steering and power supply systems are equipped with redundant backup systems designed to maintain vehicle control in the event of a component failure.
The third is a 5G-enabled cloud management platform that allows vehicles to remain connected and monitored in real time. According to DFAC, a single operator can remotely supervise hundreds of vehicles through the cloud-based AI operations system.
Flexible Business Models and Service Support
To lower the adoption barrier for autonomous transport solutions, DFAC is offering multiple business models, including direct vehicle sales, financial leasing and transportation services charged based on mileage or freight volume.
The company also supports customers through a nationwide service network of more than 1,100 service stations. DFAC says the network can provide 24-hour operational support, with response times as short as 10 minutes.
According to company estimates, OpenVAN vehicles can deliver significant operating cost savings across different logistics scenarios. Annual savings can reach approximately RMB 150,000 per vehicle in urban delivery operations, while industrial park transportation applications can reduce labor costs by 60% to 70%. In sanitation services, a single autonomous vehicle can replace five to eight workers and reduce operating costs by up to 35%.
With autonomous logistics vehicles moving toward large-scale commercial deployment, DFAC aims to expand its presence in the sector through a combination of autonomous vehicle technology, connected fleet management and service support solutions.
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