FOTON marks 13-millionth vehicle and launches CAVAN BEACON at IAA Hannover

IAA Transportation 2026 opened in Hannover, Germany, on September 14, bringing together leading companies and industry stakeholders from the global commercial vehicle sector. At the show, BAIC FOTON presented a range of complete vehicles and core self-developed components, with several models making their overseas debuts. During a dedicated press conference, the company shared updates on its European market strategy, key milestones in its global development and the launch of new flagship products. FOTON says it is advancing from a traditional export model toward a broader full-value-chain approach to international growth, backed by product innovation, core technologies, new-energy development and localized operations, with a business presence across more than 140 countries and regions.

Wu Zongtian, President of BAIC FOTON International, officially introduced the CAVAN BEACON, a zero-carbon intelligent long-haul heavy-duty truck built on a purpose-developed platform for both hydrogen and battery-electric applications. The platform has three core architectures covering the body, electrical and electronic systems and chassis, and by combining different cab configurations, e-axles, batteries and fuel-cell systems it supports 15 vehicle variants across battery electric, battery swapping, gaseous hydrogen and liquid hydrogen pathways. It features megawatt-level fast charging with a maximum charging power of 1.44 MW, taking the battery from 20% to 80% in 18 minutes; the fully electric version offers more than 600 km of range, while the hydrogen fuel-cell version exceeds 1,000 km. FOTON says a single new energy heavy-duty truck can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 200 tonnes over its full lifecycle compared with a conventional diesel-powered vehicle.

Energy-efficiency measures include an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.28, scenario-based adaptive control strategies and a highly integrated predictive thermal management system, which together cut overall vehicle energy consumption by 15%. The 6x4 battery-electric model consumes as little as 115 kWh per 100 km and the 4x2 model as little as 105 kWh per 100 km, while the 6x4 hydrogen fuel-cell model uses as little as 7.6 kg of hydrogen per 100 km. An ICA/HWP combined driver assistance system integrates 22 intelligent assistance functions — including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, automatic lane changing and assisted overtaking — and FOTON says test data show a response success rate of over 99% in abnormal driving scenarios, with the technical capability to support further development toward Level 4 automated driving. For drivers, a four-point floating cab suspension and premium air-suspension seats reduce overall vehicle vibration by 25% and improve comfort by 20%, and the cab adds an AI-powered voice assistant with large-model capabilities supporting intelligent Q&A and casual conversation. A 12.3-inch instrument display and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen provide truck-specific navigation, smartphone connectivity and multi-screen interaction, while the 1,450 mm low-floor design, 1,000 mm wide sleeper berth, 420 L of storage space and power-assisted doors add everyday convenience for long-haul journeys.

FOTON follows an "In Europe, For Europe" principle focused on the real-world operating needs of European customers, built on localized product adaptation, integrated ecosystem capabilities and collaborative partnerships supported by deeper local operations. It has sales networks in nearly 20 European markets and plans to expand coverage to major European markets by 2028, supported by a regional parts center in Germany and national parts warehouses in 17 countries including the UK, France and Hungary, with more than 300 service outlets across Europe. The company says it will build a localized new energy ecosystem in Europe through a combination of self-developed, jointly developed and interconnected models covering energy replenishment, vehicle operations and aftermarket services. FOTON plans to establish a local technology center in Europe to better understand regional market needs and support product definition, and aims to begin local assembly in Europe by 2028. It will also use its German subsidiary BROCK to further develop connected-vehicle service operations in Europe.