Sinotruk exports over 20,000 heavy-duty trucks

China's largest heavy-duty truck maker Sinotruk has maintained growth in its exports this year despite shrinking overseas demand due to the eurozone debt crisis, the company said. The Jinan-based truck manufacturer has clinched export orders for more than 20,000 heavy-duty trucks, making it the largest exporter of the vehicles in the country. The company said Southeast Asian countries have become a major export destination for its vehicles, while other overseas markets like Central Asia, South America and Africa all witnessed steady growth last year. Although production and sales of heavy-duty trucks dropped in 2011, export business remained brisk, the company said. Last year, the company exported 20,852 vehicles, up 56 percent from 2010. Exports revenue rose 82 percent year on year to 610 million U.S. dollars in the year. In contrast, production of heavy-duty trucks in 2011 totalled 86,000 units in 2011, down 35 percent from the previous year. Sales also dropped 8 percent to 100,600 units. So far, Sinotruk has established six overseas assembly plants with an annual capacity of 30,000 heavy-duty trucks. The Hong Kong-listed company also announced plans to build factories in Brazil and Indonesia.