What happened
At a brand day event held on August 28 at Foton's X Lab, the company announced four key results: the launch of the Cangqiong autonomous driving product architecture platform, the Galaxus R9 heavy-duty truck entering the Americas market, the global debut of the Lefu V7 MPVan, and the release of the Kawen Xinghai new-energy flagship heavy truck.
The Cangqiong platform marks Foton's intelligent strategy moving into a systematic implementation phase. The company stated that its commercial vehicle autonomous driving capabilities have been developed in stages since 2016, with scenario validation completed from 2018 to 2024, including obtaining autonomous driving test licenses and launching demonstration projects such as highway platooning and autonomous driving on the Donghai Bridge. From 2024 to 2026, the technology entered a commercialization stage, with highway navigation pilot products installed in batches and application scenarios expanding to passenger transport. The platform is divided into Cangqiong A, B, and C sub-platforms, covering levels from high-level unmanned driving to closed-scenario operations. Heavy trucks equipped with Cangqiong B have delivered over 3,000 units, with cumulative safe operation exceeding 400 million kilometers.
Foton also showcased product updates: the Galaxus R9 is a model dedicated to the Americas market, undergoing 28 localization optimizations and a 15,000-km cross-America validation journey. The Kawen Xinghai heavy truck targets electric logistics over 300 km, offering a pure electric range of over 600 km, 800V liquid-cooled supercharging that charges from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes, and a starting price of 466,000 yuan. The Lefu V7 MPVan, designed for line passenger transport, business reception, and leisure modification, provides a CLTC range of up to 536 km and supports 2C supercharging.
Why it matters
The commercial vehicle industry is at a critical point of intelligent and new-energy transformation. Foton's announcements reflect a comprehensive approach that spans technology development, product expansion, and global market penetration, positioning the company to address evolving logistics and operational needs.
Commercial vehicle autonomous driving differs from passenger vehicles by focusing on operational safety, cost reduction, and reducing driver workload. Foton's Cangqiong platform is designed to move autonomous driving from demonstration to large-scale application, potentially reshaping efficiency in freight and passenger transport.
Foton's overseas strategy, including the '3040 strategy' targeting over 400,000 units in overseas annual sales by 2030 with new-energy products making up 30%, indicates a shift from simple product export to a systemized global model involving R&D, supply chain, and services, aiming for higher value in international markets.
Key facts
Foton launched the Cangqiong autonomous driving product architecture platform on August 28.
The Galaxus R9 heavy-duty truck entered the Americas market with 28 localization adaptations.
Foton targets overseas annual sales of over 400,000 units by 2030, with new-energy products accounting for 30%.
What to watch next
Foton is set to participate in the Hanover International Commercial Vehicle Show in September, where it will present global products including the Galaxus R9, Kawen Beacon, and Qimingxing pure electric light truck, along with its self-developed three-electric core technologies.
The commercial adoption of the Cangqiong B platform will be a key indicator of whether autonomous driving can scale in commercial vehicle operations across highways, national roads, and urban areas.
Market response to the Kawen Xinghai heavy truck and the Lefu V7 MPVan will show how Foton balances new-energy transition and high-end product expansion in both domestic and overseas markets.
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