Zonxin Successfully Hosts New Product Launch and Fifth Meeting of the Special-Purpose Vehicle Lightweighting Alliance

To actively support China's “Dual Carbon” goals, help the logistics industry reduce costs and improve efficiency, and accelerate the green, high-end and international development of the special-purpose vehicle industry, Shandong ZonXin Auto Parts Co., Ltd. successfully hosted its New Product Launch Event and the Fifth Meeting of the Special-Purpose Vehicle Lightweighting Alliance on August 18, 2026, in Liangshan County, Shandong Province.

The event brought together nearly 100 industry professionals from special-purpose vehicle manufacturers, logistics companies, research institutions, industry associations and mainstream media. Participants discussed new opportunities for commercial vehicle lightweighting technology, industrial-chain collaboration and international trade development.

Industry Experts Gather to Advance Lightweighting Technology

The conference was hosted by Liu Zonghan, Secretary-General of the Jinan Automotive Engineering Society.

Experts from leading research institutions, including China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Shandong University and Geely Farizon Commercial Vehicle Research Institute, attended the event. Representatives from the Shandong Transportation and Logistics Association, Shandong Automotive Industry Association, leading special-purpose vehicle manufacturers and major logistics companies also participated.

Jing Zhenhua, Chairman of Shandong ZonXin Auto Parts Co., Ltd., together with the company's R&D, technical and marketing teams, presented a series of innovative lightweight products, demonstrating Zonxin's technological capabilities in commercial vehicle components.

Zheng Minggang, President of the Jinan Automotive Engineering Society, noted in his opening speech that the combination of China's “Dual Carbon” strategy and the logistics industry's demand for cost reduction and efficiency improvement is making lightweighting an irreversible trend in the special-purpose vehicle sector.

As a core member of the Special-Purpose Vehicle Lightweighting Alliance, Zonxin has long been committed to lightweight technology development. The latest product launch represents not only the company's latest technological achievements, but also an important example of technological innovation across the industry.

Guo Jinna, Secretary-General of the Shandong Automotive Industry Association, emphasized that breakthroughs in key automotive components are essential for strengthening domestic supply chains and expanding into global markets. She recognized Zonxin's development strategy of “Based in Shandong, Going Global” and encouraged the company to continue developing high-quality lightweight products suitable for both domestic and international markets.

Professor Ma Mingtu from China Automotive Engineering Research Institute delivered a keynote presentation on the development and application of hot forming technology. Kong Xiangyun, President of the Shandong Transportation and Logistics Association, analyzed the challenges facing road freight transportation, including pressure on freight rates, stricter weight regulations and payload limitations for new-energy heavy-duty trucks.

He highlighted lightweighting as a key requirement for logistics companies seeking regulatory compliance, cost reduction and operational efficiency, while recognizing the contribution of Zonxin's aluminum-based lightweight wheel-end products to the industry's transformation.

New Lightweight Products Demonstrate Core Technological Advantages

The highlight of the event was the launch of two major series of lightweight innovations by Shandong ZonXin.

Dr. Zhu Wanchao presented the core technologies behind Zonxin's ultra-lightweight aluminum-based wheel-end assemblies for commercial vehicles. Based on the company's independently developed ZL290R high-strength aluminum alloy and aluminum-matrix composite material technologies, extensive bench testing and real-world road testing have demonstrated significant weight reduction.

The aluminum wheel hub achieves a weight reduction of up to 65%, while the aluminum-based brake drum achieves a weight reduction of up to 63%.

The complete aluminum wheel-end assembly not only significantly reduces vehicle weight, but also offers excellent heat dissipation, stable wheel-end temperature control and extended service life. The products can be widely applied to various transportation scenarios, including:

Long-haul logistics

Hazardous-material transportation

Cold-chain transportation

New-energy semi-trailers

Zonxin is also accelerating the construction of a fully automated wheel-end assembly line, laying the production-capacity foundation for large-scale manufacturing and high-volume supply to both domestic and overseas markets.

Liu Guifang, Deputy Technical Minister of Zonxin, officially introduced the company's comprehensive lightweight chassis solutions for semi-trailers, covering a complete range of Zonxin axle and suspension products.

The portfolio includes:

American-style lightweight drum and disc brake axles

Long-life, maintenance-free axles with service cycles of 3–5 years

78# high-strength steel lightweight suspensions

Maintenance-free American mechanical suspensions

Full-range German-style and American-style air suspensions

Dual-hydraulic damping torque rods

Lightweight balance beams

All products follow Zonxin's R&D philosophy of “Reducing Weight Without Reducing Strength.” The solutions combine lightweight construction, high reliability and broad vehicle compatibility, enabling them to meet the requirements of long-haul freight, cold-chain logistics, hazardous-material tankers and heavy-duty engineering transportation.

Real-World Data Demonstrates the Economic Benefits of Lightweighting

During the event, Yu Ruixiao, Deputy General Manager of Sales, presented real-world operating data and customer cases demonstrating the commercial value of Zonxin's lightweight products.

According to the company, 2,500 semi-trailers operated by ZTO Express and 2,000 semi-trailers operated by STO Express have been equipped with Zonxin maintenance-free suspension systems. Some vehicles have remained in stable operation for six years with more than 1.2 million kilometers of mileage, with no replacement required for key suspension components.

Leading Chinese special-purpose vehicle manufacturers, including CIMC Huajun and Anhui Kaile, have also adopted Zonxin lightweight suspension and axle systems as standard equipment for side-dump trailers.

Based on actual vehicle testing and customer operating data, a single transportation vehicle equipped with Zonxin lightweight products can generate approximately RMB 55,000 in cumulative net economic benefits over three years, demonstrating how lightweight technology can translate into tangible financial returns for logistics operators.

Rong Lanyou, Chairman of Cixi Rongfa Logistics Co., Ltd., shared his experience as a representative end user.

He explained that chemical tanker transportation is subject to strict vehicle weight regulations, making vehicle tare weight a direct factor affecting payload capacity. After adopting Zonxin's lightweight chassis products, each vehicle was able to legally carry several hundred kilograms more chemical materials. With labor, toll and fuel costs remaining largely unchanged, the increased payload significantly improved vehicle profitability.

This provides a practical demonstration of the industry's growing recognition that “lightweighting is productivity.”

Strategic Partnerships Strengthen Industry Collaboration

The event also provided a platform for further cooperation across the special-purpose vehicle lightweighting industry chain.

Professor Zhao Hongxia from Shandong University, Shaanxi Baotashan New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. and other industry experts and suppliers introduced innovative industrialization projects, including CO₂ heat pump technologies for new-energy vehicles and advanced industrial coatings.

A major strategic cooperation signing ceremony was also held during the event.

Shandong ZonXin successfully established strategic partnerships with several leading companies, including:

Chongqing Jiangchi Logistics Equipment

Hebei Chuanteng Special-Purpose Vehicles

Shanxi Weilong Special Vehicles

Jingmen Hongtu Special Aircraft

Ningbo Yuci Logistics

The parties signed agreements covering priority procurement rights and customized product supply.

These partnerships demonstrate strong recognition from vehicle manufacturers and logistics operators of Zonxin's lightweight technologies and products, while providing a solid foundation for large-scale commercialization and further expansion into domestic and international markets.

Driving Innovation and Building a Global Development Strategy

In his closing remarks, Zonxin Chairman Jing Zhenhua stated that commercial vehicle lightweighting is a key driver of green and low-carbon transformation in transportation and an essential direction for the high-quality development of the special-purpose vehicle industry.

Going forward, Zonxin will continue leveraging its academician and expert R&D platform to advance research into new materials and manufacturing processes. The company will further develop key products including:

Aluminum-matrix composite lightweight chassis systems

Intelligent air suspension systems

Lightweight wheel-end assemblies

High-performance axles and suspension systems

In the domestic market, Zonxin will strengthen OEM partnerships and address key gaps in the domestic supply chain for critical commercial vehicle components.

In international markets, the company will benchmark its products against overseas regulations and certification standards, actively expand export channels and accelerate the development of a dual-circulation strategy integrating domestic and international markets.

A New Milestone for Zonxin's Lightweighting Strategy

The successful conclusion of the event represents a strong demonstration of Zonxin's technological innovation capabilities and marks a new milestone in the company's continued development of lightweight commercial vehicle components.

Going forward, Zonxin will remain committed to its corporate philosophy of “Innovation Driven, Quality Zonxin.”

Based in Liangshan, serving China and reaching global markets, Zonxin will continue advancing the localization and replacement of key special-purpose vehicle components, helping logistics operators reduce costs and improve efficiency while supporting the international development of China's automotive components industry.

Together with partners throughout the industry chain, Zonxin is committed to building a greener, more advanced and more international future for the special-purpose vehicle industry.