This report examines in detail the Chinese market for industrial forklift trucks, and is an update of the study last published by Off-Highway Research in November 2019. Its findings are based on a series of in-depth personal interviews undertaken with the industry’s major manufacturers and dealers during the first three quarters of 2021.

Industrial forklift trucks are vehicles used to lift and move heavy loads, and are typically powered either by internal combustion engines or electric motors. The former is referred to as IC forklifts and the latter as electric forklifts. With regards to IC trucks, the fuel used can be diesel, gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to the World Industrial Trucks Statistics Institute, industrial forklift trucks are divided into seven classes. Class I forklifts are ride-on trucks with an electric motor and usually counterbalanced, Class II forklifts are ride-on trucks with an electric motor for use in narrow aisles or warehouse picking functions, Class III forklifts are automated walk behind pallet lift trucks with electric motors, Class IV forklifts are vehicles with internal combustion engines equipped with cushion tyres and counterbalanced, Class V forklifts are vehicles with internal combustion engines equipped with pneumatic tyres and often counterbalanced, Class VI forklifts are defined as tow tractors, and Class VII forklifts are telescopic rough terrain material handlers.

This report concerns only Class I and Class II electric forklifts, and Class IV and Class V IC forklifts. The other three types are outside the scope of this study.