Skyworth Auto is a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer belonging to the Nanjing-based group of the same name. It will make its European debut at IAA Transportation 2026 with the world premiere of the Z9, a battery-electric tractor unit designed for level 4 autonomous driving. The brand will bring a 6x4 configuration to Germany, equipped with a dual-motor system delivering 610 kW of power and maximum torque of 1,160 Nm. Power is supplied by a 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery which, according to the manufacturer, provides a range suited to long-distance freight transport.
Perception of the surrounding environment is based on five lidars, five millimetre-wave radars and ten high-definition cameras, arranged to provide 360-degree coverage around the vehicle. Skyworth says full specifications for the intelligent driving functions will be released only at the official launch in Hanover. For safety, the truck integrates a 360-degree control system that can detect obstacles of around 10 centimetres, predictive automatic emergency braking and functions dedicated to cybersecurity for the vehicle’s onboard electronics. The cab has surfaces designed to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Alongside the Z9, Skyworth will bring four other models to Hanover. The G18 is an electric refuse collection truck for urban waste collection, also designed for level 4 autonomous driving. The Urban Elf Robobus is an autonomous shuttle intended for low-speed environments such as campuses, airports and residential areas. Completing the line-up will be the Hongtu V9, an electric van for urban logistics, and the Hongtu X, an electric chassis cab with a range extender, designed for customised bodywork. Skyworth Auto says it has so far delivered 150,000 vehicles in 45 countries, including buses, light commercial vehicles, trucks and special-purpose vehicles. The manufacturer had already made its debut in Europe at Busworld in Brussels in October 2025 and has recently supplied a batch of 12-metre electric buses to Romania.
