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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 while speaking to a reporter. ‘I never used domestic brands.’"
Shenzhen Antuo Investment Development Co., Ltd. was established in November 1998, specializing in stone materials, concrete, earth and rock construction, and municipal engineering projects. Liang Xiwu, the company’s leader, currently serves as Vice President of the Shenzhen Concrete Association and as a member of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress.
In 2000, the company was in a phase of rapid growth, and its existing fleet could no longer meet the demand. Having long admired a well-known European brand (referred to here as “Multiple Block†due to confidentiality), Liang began negotiations with several foreign companies to import a batch of concrete mixers and dump trucks. However, the process was far from smooth. "The negotiations were really tough," he recalled. "Foreigners wanted to take every penny out of us. In the end, the price per vehicle was about five times higher than domestic models."
Despite the high cost, Liang believed the investment would pay off. But getting the vehicles into China proved equally challenging. At the time, customs enforcement was strict, especially after the Xiamen Yuanhua smuggling case. Antuo had to rely on connections and networks to secure only 70 tax-exempt truck quotas from the State Economic and Trade Commission — ultimately importing just 35 vehicles.
Even then, there were more hurdles. The imported models weren’t listed in the customs catalog, leading to a six-month detention at the port. "Another issue was that 30 of the 35 vehicles were three-axle concrete mixers with a 9-cubic-meter capacity — something completely new in China at the time. Customs was worried about the quality. After joint investigations with European authorities, they finally allowed the vehicles to be released," Liang said with a smile. "It was like a legend — unforgettable."
But the problems didn’t end there. Although the imported trucks had superior build quality, their maintenance was a nightmare. Parts were expensive and hard to get. "We asked for maintenance manuals and an accessories center, but the foreign company only reluctantly set up a service station in Shenzhen," said Hao Zhong, Deputy General Manager. "When parts broke down, we had to wait weeks for replacements, and sometimes they’d just replace the whole assembly at a huge cost."
By 2005, Antuo had had enough. After failed cooperation with European companies, the firm decided to switch to domestic brands. They chose the Xingma mixer truck equipped with Hualing chassis, which combined reliable Japanese technology with strong local manufacturing support. "After a year of use, everything worked well, and the maintenance services kept up," Liang said. "It was a better choice."
Liang also praised the openness of Valin Motors' president, Liu Hanru. "He was honest and transparent during our talks. That’s why I trusted him," he said. Today, Antuo has 47 trucks powered by Valin chassis, with plans to add 30 more Hualing models this year.
From his experience, Liang concluded: "Buying imported trucks may seem cost-effective at first, but the hidden costs are huge. Maintenance is expensive, and foreign companies often don’t treat Chinese partners fairly. They hide technology and charge excessive fees. In contrast, domestic brands may have some flaws, but they offer better support and transparency."
In the end, it’s not just about the car — it’s about the people behind it. As Liang put it, "Business is about choosing the right people."