Weichai Group, a leading internal combustion engine producer and one of the largest heavy truck developers based in Weifang, Shandong province announced on Dec 28 that its engine sales for this year had surpassed 1 million units despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

This achievement marks a 33 percent year-on-year increase in sales and puts the company at the top of the global rankings for engine sales.

Despite a 2 percent and 89 percent fall in revenues and profits from its European and US branches, the group maintained a 15 percent year-on-year growth in revenues and profits for this year.

Weichai's sales of heavy-duty vehicles exceeded 500,000 units this year, making it the world's leading supplier for heavy duty commercial vehicles, while the company's sales of light duty vehicles increased by 134 percent year-on-year. Sales of construction machinery vehicles was also up nearly 25 percent.

As a backbone enterprise of Shandong's equipment manufacturing sector, Weichai Group resumed production amid the pandemic on Feb 5, becoming the first to do so in the province. It subsequently also helped more than 300 supporting companies to resume production.

Weichai Group holds a ceremony to celebrate its engine sales surpassing the one-million-unit milestone this year on Dec 28. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Weichai Group is one of the largest heavy truck and component developers based in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Media outlets and employees of Weichai Group attend the celebration. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]