Transportation & Mobility

Yutong Launches T14 Premium Coach for European Long-Haul Market

Zhengzhou – September 12, 2026 -- Yutong has launched the T14, a diesel-powered premium coach engineered for the European market, expanding its T-Series lineup with a vehicle built on a DAF engine, ZF air suspension and a Bosch steering system.

Coach targets long-haul comfort with dual-zone climate control

The T14 features an intelligent dual-zone air conditioning system with independently adjustable temperatures for driver and passenger areas, delivering 36,000 kcal of cooling and 38,000 kcal of heating capacity. Interior materials use low-odor, eco-friendly variants achieving odor ratings of no more than 2.5 at 40°C and 3.0 at 80°C, paired with a fresh-air ventilation system. Ergonomic seats combined with ZF air suspension and an automatic transmission filter out road vibration and shift shocks, while 26 premium speakers and a 22-inch HD display anchor the cabin, alongside a refrigerator, toilet, water dispenser and charging ports.

Amazon Deploys 50+ Mercedes-Benz Electric Trucks in Germany

Wörth am Rhein – September 12, 2026 -- Mercedes-Benz Trucks has delivered the first 27 battery-electric eActros 600 trucks to Amazon, with the e-commerce giant set to operate more than 50 of the vehicles across its German logistics network by the end of 2026.

Delivery marks first tranche of Amazon's largest-ever electric truck order

The handover forms part of a contract signed in early 2025 covering more than 200 eActros 600 units, Amazon's largest electric truck order to date. Most of the fleet will operate in the United Kingdom, where Mercedes-Benz Trucks began deliveries in late 2025. The trucks will run on Germany's so-called middle-mile routes, moving goods between logistics centers and urban areas.

Aeson Power Debuts Sodium-Ion Auxiliary EV Batteries at Frankfurt

Frankfurt – September 12, 2026 -- Aeson Power, an Australian sodium-ion battery maker, has surpassed 100,000 units on the road across more than 30 countries with its aftermarket starter and start-stop batteries, and is now showcasing new sodium-ion auxiliary battery solutions for electric and commercial vehicles at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026.

Sodium-ion starter batteries claim triple the service life of lead-acid units

The company's sodium-ion starting and start-stop batteries deliver instant cranking power, rapid charging and cold-cranking performance in a lightweight format. Aeson Power states these batteries offer a service life exceeding three times that of conventional lead-acid batteries in start-stop applications, positioning them as a direct aftermarket replacement.

FOTON Reports 44.3% Export Surge, Unveils Europe Strategy at IAA Hannover

Hannover – September 12, 2026 -- Chinese commercial vehicle maker FOTON reported an export volume of 149,000 units between January and August 2026, a 44.3% increase year-on-year, as it opened a 1,000-square-meter exhibit at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover.

FOTON deploys seven vehicles and six self-developed components at Hall 21 booth

Under the theme "EASY MOVE," the company is showcasing seven complete vehicles and six core components engineered for European transport scenarios spanning long-haul logistics, urban waste collection, city delivery, and public transit. The lineup includes new-energy drive models alongside self-developed batteries, e-axles, electronic control units, and megawatt charging stations.

Yutong Launches Premium T14 Diesel Coach for European Market

Zhengzhou – September 12, 2026 -- Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong has launched the T14, a diesel-powered premium touring coach engineered specifically for the European market, expanding its T-Series lineup with a vehicle built on components from DAF, ZF and Bosch.

Yutong pairs a DAF MX-13 engine with ZF suspension and Bosch steering for European roads

The T14 runs on a DAF MX-13 engine rated at 350 kW and 2,500 N·m of torque, paired with a Bosch steering system that keeps the minimum turning radius under 21 meters. Yutong says the combination delivers maneuverability across varied European terrain, from mountain passes to coastal routes, targeting both cross-border long-distance transport and premium touring operators.

German Truck Toll Mileage Index Rises 0.6% in August 2026

Wiesbaden – September 12, 2026 -- Toll-liable truck mileage on German federal highways rose 0.6% in August 2026 versus July, calendar- and seasonally-adjusted, and climbed 2.0% against August 2025 on a calendar-adjusted basis, according to Germany's Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) and the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

Truck mileage data serves as an early industrial output signal

The index tracks mileage of tolled trucks with at least four axles on federal motorways and is derived from digital toll-collection process data. Because economic activity generates transport demand, the index correlates closely with industrial production indicators and becomes available roughly one month ahead of the official production index, functioning as a leading indicator for German manufacturing activity. Destatis notes the index cannot currently be broken down by economic sector.

CARKU Unveils Sodium-Ion, Lithium Starting Batteries at Automechanika Frankfurt

Frankfurt – – September 12, 2026 -- CARKU is showcasing a dual-track battery strategy at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, positioning sodium-ion and lithium starting batteries as replacements for AGM technology across combustion-engine fleets.

CARKU targets cold-climate markets with sodium-ion starting batteries

The company's sodium-ion batteries are engineered for durability and cold-temperature performance, addressing weight, cycle-life and low-temperature limitations that AGM batteries face in Northern Europe. CARKU positions the technology as a next-generation alternative for passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles operating in extreme climates.

GAC Overseas Exports Surge 177% in August, Led by Africa Boom

Guangzhou – September 12, 2026 -- GAC Group's overseas exports jumped 177% year-on-year in August to 26,978 units, pushing cumulative exports for the January-August period to 172,008 units, up 136% from the prior year. The Chinese automaker's total overseas exports have now reached nearly 600,000 units.

Africa becomes GAC's fastest-growing overseas market with 881% sales surge

Retail sales in Africa rose 881% year-on-year in August, making it GAC's fastest-expanding market this month. GAC International signed an agreement with Jameel Motors for local vehicle production in Egypt and officially entered the Ghanaian market, launching flagship models including the S7, GS8 and AION V.

Xiamen Forum Launches 12 New Maritime Routes, Arctic AI Weather Service

Xiamen – September 12, 2026 -- The 8th Silk Road Maritime International Cooperation Forum opened in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, drawing more than 1,800 representatives from 19 countries and regions to address geopolitical risk and supply chain fragmentation in global shipping.

Forum unveils 12 new shipping routes and 11 signed cooperation projects

Organizers announced 12 new Silk Road Maritime routes, welcomed 15 new association members, and finalized 11 cooperation projects on-site. The Silk Road Maritime network, launched in Fujian in 2018 as the Belt and Road Initiative's first comprehensive maritime logistics platform, now spans 160 shipping routes connecting 153 ports across 50 countries and regions, with 393 members spanning shipping, energy, manufacturing and internet sectors.

Yutong Launches T14 Premium Coach to Expand European Lineup

Zhengzhou – September 12, 2026 -- Yutong has introduced the T14, a diesel-powered premium coach engineered for the European long-distance travel market, expanding its T-Series product line with a vehicle built around a DAF MX-13 engine, ZF air suspension and Bosch steering systems.

Climate system delivers 36,000 kcal cooling and 38,000 kcal heating capacity

The T14 features an intelligent dual-zone climate control system with independently adjustable temperatures for driver and passenger areas, designed to maintain comfort in both extreme cold and heat. Interior materials meet low-odor standards of no more than 2.5 at 40°C and 3.0 at 80°C, paired with a fresh-air ventilation system.