On September 24, the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) opened its doors once again, serving as a vital platform for fostering international collaboration across various sectors and generating ample business opportunities for entrepreneurs from different nations.
Situated prominently within the State-Owned Enterprise Exhibition Area, Dongfeng Motor participated in this year’s China-ASEAN Expo with the theme “DRIVE YOUR DREAMS,” presenting a holistic view of the company. The displays included new passenger vehicles from its brands, including Dongfeng Voyah and Dongfeng Mhero, along with a selection of representative products like Dongfeng commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment, powertrains, and automotive components.
The two main exhibition areas—indoor and outdoor—of Dongfeng Motor consistently drew the attention of guests from across the globe. An ongoing flow of visitors explored the exhibits, demonstrating their appreciation and support for Dongfeng Motor.
During the event, Dongfeng Motor hosted an overseas product promotion and customer signing ceremony, which attracted over 70 ASEAN dealers and partners. The company primarily showcased its key commercial vehicle offerings and successfully forged cooperation agreements, including a bulk order of 300 vehicles with partners from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. This collaboration highlighted Dongfeng’s recent successes and heralded a new chapter in their partnerships.
“As a significant gateway for China engaging with ASEAN, the geographical advantages of Guangxi Nanning provide Dongfeng Motor with considerable development opportunities,” remarked Yang Tao, Deputy General Manager of the International Business Division of Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd., and Deputy Managing Director of China Dongfeng Motor Industry Import & Export Co., Ltd., during his speech. He underscored Dongfeng Motor’s commitment to the ASEAN market and indicated plans to enhance investments in product innovation, network expansion, and spare parts support, aiming to boost product competitiveness, respond swiftly to customer demands, and improve channel operations.
Subsequently, Zhang Wenfeng, Head of Commercial Vehicle Product Planning at China Dongfeng Motor Industry Import & Export Co., Ltd., delivered a special presentation outlining Dongfeng’s commercial vehicle solutions tailored for the Southeast Asian market. Dongfeng’s commercial vehicles are categorized into four platform-based series: GX, KL, KC, and KR, accommodating both left- and right-hand drive specifications. Additionally, there are five energy solutions available: diesel, natural gas, electric, hydrogen, and intelligent driving technology. Dongfeng also showcased its standout models, the X7 and X3, from its Xinjiang subsidiary.
“One tank of fuel, and you can drive across Southeast Asia!” exclaimed Raymond Khoo, a customer from Malaysia, who expressed his admiration for Dongfeng’s vehicle presentation. He voiced particular interest in the DONGFENG GX model, highlighting its sedan-like driving comfort despite being designed for long-haul use.
Alex Ngu, a dealer from Singapore who attended the signing ceremony, noted that the automotive market in Singapore poses significant entry barriers and intense competition. Partnering with a reputable Chinese automotive brand like Dongfeng offers greater assurance in both marketing and after-sales service.
“The Expo is accelerating the global promotion of ‘Made in China,’ with Dongfeng Motor as a key representative.” At 10 a.m. on the 25th, Dongfeng’s social media live-streaming host began covering the company’s involvement in the expo. This year, Dongfeng utilized bilingual (Chinese and English) live streams on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and WeChat Video, promoting their vehicles and brand. The live broadcast allowed audiences worldwide to experience the event from their mobile devices.
At the China-ASEAN Expo, Dongfeng’s passenger and commercial vehicle sales teams were well-prepared, proactively addressing the varied needs of international clients and capitalizing on business negotiation opportunities in pursuit of cooperation agreements.
Dongfeng Motor considers international expansion a crucial growth strategy, continuously enhancing its global partnerships and entering new markets. The company’s products are marketed in over 100 countries, including those in ASEAN. From January to August of this year, Dongfeng Motor exported 157,000 vehicles, marking a 13% year-on-year increase. Within the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Southeast Asia, Dongfeng achieved an export of 15,000 vehicles to the ASEAN market in 2023.
Looking ahead, Dongfeng Motor plans to further extend its reach within the ASEAN market, strengthen its localized marketing strategies, and enhance collaborations with ASEAN countries in the area of new energy vehicles. The company aims to play a more significant role in supporting high-quality development under the Belt and Road Initiative while promoting regional economic cooperation and prosperity.
