Sinotruk leads Chinese manufacturers' rapid expansion in Kenya as commercial vehicle demand rebounds

Chinese vehicle manufacturers in Kenya nearly doubled their share of new vehicle sales in the nine months to September 2026, driven primarily by rising demand for commercial trucks as government payments to road contractors helped revive construction activity.

Sales of Chinese brands increased 152% to 1,847 vehicles from 733 in the corresponding period last year, according to data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMI). Their combined market share rose to 14.65% from 7.39%, meaning Chinese manufacturers accounted for almost one in every seven new vehicles sold through local showrooms.

The growth significantly outpaced the wider market, where total new vehicle sales increased 27% to 12,606 units from 9,924. Sinotruk accounted for most of the Chinese manufacturers’ expansion, highlighting the importance of heavy commercial vehicles in their growing presence in Kenya.

Chinese vehicle sales outpace Kenya’s wider market

Sinotruk, distributed locally by CFAO Mobility Kenya, increased deliveries by 169.5% to 1,442 vehicles from 535 during the nine-month period. The truckmaker added 907 vehicles, representing 81.4% of the additional 1,114 units sold collectively by Chinese brands.

Its contribution also meant Sinotruk accounted for approximately 78% of all Chinese vehicle sales recorded during the period. The figures place the manufacturer at the centre of the competitive gains made by Chinese brands, particularly in a market where construction companies, transporters and businesses depend on trucks to move materials and distribute goods.

Foton, another Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer distributed in Kenya by Mobikey Truck and Bus, also recorded stronger deliveries, with sales rising to 168 units from 88. The performance suggests that demand for Chinese commercial vehicles is extending beyond a single manufacturer.

Chinese passenger brands expand their presence

The expansion has also reached passenger vehicles, where BYD, Changan and Chery recorded higher deliveries as their local distributors developed their showroom presence.

BYD, distributed by CFAO Mobility Kenya, increased sales to 54 vehicles from two in the same period last year. Changan, represented by Inchcape Kenya, doubled deliveries to 73 from 36, while Chery Tiggo, whose distribution is handled by Salvador Caetano, recorded 50 sales against none a year earlier.

Other Chinese manufacturers posted mixed results. Great Wall Motors (GWM) increased deliveries to 18 vehicles from eight, while JMC sales rose to 21 from 15. Haval, distributed by Crown Motors, recorded a decline to four vehicles from 31, while Beiben sales edged down to 17 from 18.

The passenger vehicle gains add another dimension to Chinese manufacturers’ expansion, particularly as BYD develops its presence in electric and hybrid mobility. CFAO Mobility Kenya’s distribution of both Sinotruk and BYD also places the established automotive group within two of the most visible areas of Chinese brand growth.

The wider manufacturing ambitions are reflected in a proposed KSh390 billion investment involving Endelevu Enterprise Corporation and Geely Auto Group. The partnership, reported in October 2026, includes plans for vehicle assembly facilities, charging infrastructure and a digital mobility platform, placing Chinese automotive investment within Kenya’s broader industrial development ambitions.

Other developments include Dongfeng’s entry into Kenya’s electric vehicle market through ePureMotion, alongside local assembly ambitions, and the growth of financing arrangements supporting electric commercial transport. NCBA and BasiGo, for example, announced a financing programme targeting 1,000 electric vehicles, with qualifying businesses and SACCOs able to access financing covering up to 90% of vehicle costs over 60 months.

Government payments revive commercial vehicle demand

The recovery in new vehicle sales has coincided with increased government spending on road infrastructure, which has helped restore activity among contractors that had struggled with unpaid bills.

Isuzu East Africa, Kenya’s market leader, attributed much of the industry’s expansion to the government’s mobilisation of KSh139 billion to settle contractors’ outstanding payments and restart stalled road projects.

“Industry performance was primarily propelled by government fiscal intervention—specifically the mobilization of Sh139 billion to clear contractor bills and restart road projects, which spurred heavy commercial vehicle demand,” Isuzu said in the KMI report for September.

The payments have eased financial pressure on contractors, some of whom had abandoned projects or faced the risk of losing vehicles and equipment financed through bank loans.

The State Department for Roads’ pending bills declined 23.5% to KSh98.17 billion in the financial year ended June, extending a reduction from the KSh166.76 billion peak recorded in the 2023/24 financial year. The latest decline amounted to KSh30.19 billion, following a KSh38.40 billion reduction in the previous financial year.

Financing and distribution shape competition

Lower borrowing costs have provided additional support to businesses seeking to acquire trucks, delivery vehicles and other commercial equipment. Central Bank of Kenya data shows the weighted average commercial lending rate fell to 14.34% in August 2026 from 15.17% a year earlier, extending a decline from the 17.22% peak recorded in November 2024.

The lower rates can ease financing expenses for businesses purchasing vehicles through bank loans and asset-financing arrangements, although the actual cost depends on individual lending terms.

Competition between vehicle manufacturers will also depend on acquisition prices, operating costs, spare parts availability and the strength of local servicing networks. CFAO Mobility Kenya, which represents 15 automotive brands in the country, has highlighted the importance of distribution capacity, technical expertise and after-sales support in its wider automotive operations.

For established manufacturers such as Isuzu, the growth of Sinotruk and other Chinese truckmakers adds competitive pressure in a segment where purchase costs and vehicle operating economics influence business decisions.

The latest sales figures show that Chinese manufacturers are gaining ground across Kenya’s new-vehicle market, with commercial trucks providing the largest contribution while passenger brands build a presence through established local distributors. Their ability to maintain that growth will make them important competitors in Kenya’s automotive industry.