China's heavy-duty truck market recorded a third consecutive month of year-on-year growth in May, with sales reaching 109,500 units, up 23% year-on-year, according to industry data. Although volumes declined 6% from April, the market recorded its third consecutive month of year-on-year growth, extending the momentum seen during the traditional peak sales season.

The sale of 109,500 heavy-duty trucks in May 2026 compares favorably with historical levels. Excluding 2026, average May sales over the past decade were approximately 102,000 units. Only four May periods recorded sales above 100,000 units, while sales exceeded 150,000 units in just two years. As all previous 100,000-plus May results were achieved before 2022, the May 2026 performance stands out as a relatively strong result and highlights the market's continued recovery.

A review of May sales over the past decade shows that the heavy-duty truck market recorded year-on-year growth in seven years and declines in three. With sales reaching 109,500 units, May 2026 ranks as the fifth-best May result in the last 10 years and is broadly comparable to 2019 levels. More importantly, it marks the highest May sales volume recorded in the past five years, underscoring the market's strong performance despite a softer comparison with the peak years seen before 2022.

Total heavy-duty truck sales reached 544,300 units in the first five months of 2026, making it the strongest January–May performance in five years and the only instance during that period in which cumulative sales surpassed 500,000 units by the end of May. Compared with 441,300 units a year earlier, cumulative volume increased by approximately 103,000 units. The January–May 2026 result ranks fifth among comparable periods over the past decade. After May sales rose 23% year-on-year, cumulative market growth for the January–May period also stood at 23%, unchanged from the level reported after April.

The May result ranked fifth among May sales figures recorded over the past decade. For the first five months of 2026, total heavy truck sales reached 544,300 units, an increase of 23% from a year earlier, representing an additional 103,000 units sold compared with the same period in 2025.

Market leader Sinotruk further strengthened its position in May, delivering 34,500 vehicles and capturing 31.5% of the market. FAW TRUCKS remained in second place with 17,300 units, while Foton climbed to third after selling 16,000 vehicles. Shaanxi Automobile and Dongfeng completed the top five with monthly sales of 15,000 and 14,500 units, respectively.

Industry concentration remained high, with five manufacturers reporting monthly sales above 10,000 units. Together, The top 10 manufacturers accounted for 97.5% of total market sales. The top five brands accounted for 88.9% of total market volume during the month.

Several manufacturers significantly outperformed the overall market growth rate. C&C Truck recorded the strongest increase, with sales jumping 171% year-on-year. XCMG posted growth of 66%, while Sinotruk, Foton, BAIC Heavy Truck, Farizon and FAW TRUCKS reported gains of 41%, 37%, 34%, 26% and 25%, respectively. Nine of the top 10 manufacturers posted year-on-year growth during the period, while one reported a decline.

On a cumulative basis, Sinotruk retained a commanding lead in the market, with January-May sales reaching 154,700 units and a market share of 28.4%. FAW TRUCKS, Dongfeng, SHACMAN and Foton followed with cumulative sales of 95,600, 81,700, 81,500 and 75,800 units, respectively. XCMG ranked sixth with 20,900 units.

Among the fastest-growing manufacturers in the first five months, C&C posted a 78% increase, followed by XCMG at 52%, Farizon at 38% and Foton at 37%. Sinotruk, FAW TRUCKS, Dongfeng, Shaanxi Automobile and BAIC Heavy Truck also recorded double-digit gains during the period.

With cumulative sales surpassing 540,000 units by the end of May, China's heavy truck market has delivered its strongest January-May performance in five years. As the traditional peak season comes to an end, attention is now turning to whether the market can sustain its growth momentum in the second half of 2026.

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