On the morning of August 31, the launch ceremony of Times Qihang (Qingdao) International Trade Co., Ltd. was held in the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Times Qihang (Qingdao) International Trade Co., Ltd. was registered in the Qingdao Area in September 2025 by the Times Business Unit of Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. As a strategic business unit of Beiqi Foton Motor, the Times Business Unit, hereinafter referred to as Times Automotive, is an operating entity covering the entire value chain of R&D, manufacturing, sales and services. It has a standard annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles and has produced more than 6 million vehicles cumulatively, accounting for 55 percent of Beiqi Foton Motor's total output.
This time, Foton Motor has established its overseas headquarters in the Qingdao Area, with plans to relocate its Times overseas business and intelligent driving operations to Qingdao. The project is expected to create 200 jobs and generate approximately 1 billion yuan in operating revenue in 2026. By 2028, employment is expected to reach 600, with operating revenue exceeding 4 billion yuan.
Times Automotive has so far achieved cumulative global production and sales of 7 million vehicles. Its products are sold in more than 50 countries and regions worldwide, supported by more than 400 sales networks and over 200 service networks. It has established a global business system covering manufacturing, sales, services and parts support, laying a solid foundation for its international operations and providing strong support for further expansion into overseas markets.
A diverse range of products, including conventional-energy vehicles, new energy vehicles and specialized vehicles, was showcased at the event. From conventional fuel-powered models to all-electric logistics vehicles, and from mini trucks and light trucks to vans, Times Automotive's product portfolio covers mini trucks, light trucks, medium-duty trucks, vans and specialized vehicles. It has also developed a coordinated product strategy encompassing both conventional-energy and new energy vehicles, providing diverse options for different countries and operating scenarios.
At the event, a signing ceremony was held for an overseas order of 800 Times Automotive vehicles. Beiqi Foton Motor and its Ghanaian partner, ZONDA TEC GHANA LTD, also known as the Zonda International Group in Ghana, signed a cooperation agreement, further deepening their collaboration in overseas markets.
The Qingdao Area serves as a global logistics hub, featuring Shandong's only port for the import and export of complete vehicles and northern China's largest foreign-trade container port. More than 50 leading automotive companies, including SAIC-GM-Wuling and Sailun Tire, have established operations in the area. More than 400 automobile import and export enterprises in the area account for over 60 percent of Qingdao's total automobile export volume.
The Qingdao Area will use Times Automotive as a flagship example of enterprises going global. Focusing on overseas investment, international market expansion and cross-border data applications, it will further strengthen communication and cooperation with enterprises, deepen practical exploration, support companies in expanding their global presence, and encourage more enterprises in the area to leverage the free trade platform to accelerate their “going global” efforts.
Editor: Gao Xiaoyan/ Wang Yulin
