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CEOs of investment companies talk about the purchase and use of trucks
"‘You know (do not) know that I’ve been using imported trucks,’ said Liang Xiwu, Chairman of Shenzhen Antuo Investment Development Co., Ltd., in a thick Cantonese accent during an interview with a reporter. ‘I never used domestic brands. Trucks.’"
Shenzhen Antuo was incorporated in November 1998, and its main business includes stone materials, concrete, earth and rock construction, and municipal engineering projects. Liang Xiwu currently serves as Vice President of the Shenzhen Concrete Association and a member of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress.
**2000: Importing Became a Legend**
In 2000, as the company was expanding rapidly, its existing fleet could no longer meet demand. Liang had long admired a well-known European brand (referred to here as “Multiple Block†for confidentiality), so he started negotiations with several foreign companies to import a batch of concrete mixers and dump trucks. "The negotiations were really tough," he recalled. "Foreigners wanted to take every penny from us. In the end, the price per unit was about five times higher than domestic models."
Despite the high cost, Liang believed these vehicles would bring greater returns. However, securing the import licenses proved even more challenging. At the time, customs authorities in Guangdong were cracking down on smuggling, and the approval process for imported cars became extremely strict. After exhausting all connections, the company managed to secure only 70 tax-free quotas from the State Economic and Trade Commission — but in the end, they only imported 35 trucks.
Even after obtaining the licenses, the imported trucks faced another problem at customs. Since the model wasn't listed in the official car catalog, they were detained for six months. "Another issue was that 30 of the 35 trucks were three-axle concrete mixers with a 9-cubic-meter capacity, which was far ahead of what was available domestically," Liang explained. "Customs were worried about quality. After joint investigations with European authorities, they finally allowed the release."
Liang smiled wryly, saying, "This experience was like a legend — unforgettable."
But the real challenges had just begun.
**2001–2004: The Collapse of the 'Myth'**
While the imported trucks were high-quality, especially in terms of structure and durability, they came with serious maintenance issues. "Their beams are good, and the width is 9 cm wider than expected," Liang admitted. But in Guangdong's hot climate, parts wore out quickly. "We asked the foreign company to provide maintenance manuals and set up a service center nearby. They resisted at first, but eventually agreed to establish a service station in Shenzhen. However, they never provided the maintenance manuals."
The result? When parts broke, the foreign service center charged ten times more than local suppliers. If the part was out of stock, it could take up to a month to get a replacement. "One truck was stuck in the garage because a small part wasn’t replaced in time. The losses were huge," said Hao Zhong, deputy general manager of the company. "What was even worse was that when a part failed, they would replace the entire assembly and charge a fortune."
**2005: The Shift to Domestic Brands**
After years of dealing with foreign suppliers, Liang decided to switch. "Cooperation with many European companies failed," he said bluntly. In 2004, when the company was tendering for new mixing trucks, they opted for the Xingma mixer equipped with Hualing chassis instead of importing foreign brands.
The decision was based on several factors: poor after-sales support, lack of transparency, and the cumbersome import procedures. "We didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past," Liang said. "Hualing uses Mitsubishi Fuso technology from the 1990s, known for reliability. And Xingma is one of the best in the mixer industry."
After a year of use, the trucks performed well. "The engines and chassis are in great condition, and maintenance is timely," he added.
**"Business is About People"**
Liang developed a close relationship with the leaders of Valin and Xingma. "Liu Hanru is very straightforward," he said. "Before the procurement, he honestly discussed pros and cons without hesitation. That’s why I trusted him."
Currently, Antuo has 47 trucks powered by Valin chassis, and plans to purchase 30 more Hualing trucks this year. "No matter where the vehicle comes from, doing business is about choosing the right people. If you choose wisely, you benefit; if not, you suffer."
From Antuo’s experience, it’s clear that while imported trucks may have high initial costs, their long-term value isn’t always guaranteed. Maintenance costs can be exorbitant, and foreign companies often withhold critical information. In contrast, domestic brands may have minor flaws, but their after-sales support is more reliable and transparent.
As Liang put it, "Foreign moons aren’t necessarily rounder, and China’s moon isn’t necessarily missing."