Since 2013, CIMC Vehicles has ranked first in the global production of semi-trailers for over ten consecutive years. However, the "comfort zone" perceived by outsiders has made Li Guiping and his team feel uneasy. "The inertia left from our second venture is no longer effective; our bottlenecks have become apparent," Li Guiping confessed to reporters.
We proposed the 'Star-chained Manufacturing Network' to reshape the business model and organizational structure of semi-trailer production and sales.” Li Guiping mentioned three core evolutions: first, transitioning products from primarily non-standard to modular products; second, evolving the production organization from internal competition to internal collaboration; and third, shifting from order-based production to driving sales through products. As a result, there have been significant improvements in efficiency, cost, and customer service compared to before.
Planned for 2023 and set to launch in 2024, the results of the "Star-chained Manufacturing Network" were immediate. From July to September 2024, the sales of the Star-Chained Light Tower Pioneer Group increased by 20.14%, with revenue rising by 21.18% year-on-year and a significant improvement in gross margin. According to statistics from the Hanyang Specialty Vehicle Institute , CIMC Vehicles' market share in China's semi-trailer market rose against the trend in the first half of 2024, reaching 14.12% and maintaining its leading position.
The "Star-chained Manufacturing Network" is just the beginning. Li Guiping acknowledged that in the future, the framework of the "Star-chained Manufacturing Network" will be used to change the landscape of the tanker industry. It is reported that the "Rising Plan," aimed at reforming CIMC Vehicles' tanker industry, was launched in September. As a leading manufacturer of semi-trailer special vehicles in China, CIMC Vehicles' "Star-chained Manufacturing Network" is also exploring the development direction of the industry and promoting high-quality growth within the sector.
Recreating a Global Leader. As early as 2003, the company integrated the Vanguard platform in North America and later expanded into the European market. Today, CIMC Vehicles has established a global production base and sales network, forming a business model with global operations. With advanced experience, CIMC Vehicles is now??focusing on broader markets—the Global South.