The Chinese economy in 2021 experienced two different growth paths. In the first half of 2021, Chinese GDP expanded by 12.7% as China continued its resurgent economic growth. However, a number of factors negatively impacted the Chinese economy in the second half of 2021 which substantially reduced economic growth. Those factors contributing to a production decline include a decline in construction activity, a slowdown in manufacturing as power shortages emerged in the second half of the year, the effect of ongoing
COVID-19
restrictions on supply chains and a shortage of critical semiconductor chips. Amid this mixed market environment, our engine sales increased by 6.2% to 456,791 units in 2021, compared with 430,320 units in 2020. We achieved positive sales growth in nearly every market except the truck market. In the relatively smaller bus market, we achieved a 53.8% increase in bus engine unit sales while the overall bus market reported a 13.7% increase in unit sales for 2021. Our bus engine unit sales increased in each of its engine size categories. Our engine sales in the
off-road
markets also experienced a gain in the 2021 as engines used for marine and power generation application increased by 53.3% in the midst of the power shortages, and the sales of agricultural engines continued to benefit from farmers’ transition from intensive labor to advanced machines.
The Chinese commercial vehicle market is a highly competitive market. According to CAAM, in 2021, commercial vehicle sales (excluding gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles) were 3.4 million units, a decrease of 6.9% compared with 2020. The truck market decreased by 8.7%
mainly attributed to a 14.2% decline in the heavy-duty segment and a 5.0% decline in light-duty truck segment, which was partially offset by the 11.9% growth in the medium-duty truck segment. The bus market increased by 13.7%
attributed to growth in all segments, a 2.4% increase in the heavy-duty bus segment, an 11.8% increase in the light-duty bus segment and a 14.9% increase in the medium-duty bus segment.
Since July 2021, Yuchai marked the successful transition of our
on-road
products to meet China’s newly implemented National VI (a) emissions standards amidst stricter environmental regulations. Towards the end of 2021, Yuchai had a portfolio of engines that was National VI (b) emission standards compliant, even though such emission standards are not scheduled for implementation until July 2023. The shift to more stringent emission standards in China presents a growth opportunity but also a challenge to our business. Sales in the bus and truck market rose by 25.9% in the first half-year primary due to
pre-buying
of less expensive, less strict National V vehicles, however, a significant inventory of National V vehicles remained in the distribution channels after July resulting in much lower demand for National VI trucks in the second half of 2021. For 2021, truck sales decreased by 8.7% mainly due to lower heavy-duty segment by 14.2%, according to CAAM. Yuchai’s truck engine sales was down by 16.2% with the major decline in light-duty engine segment by 24.0%.
The international demand for our engines rebounded as the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic began to subside around the world in 2021. Our export sales for 2021 were more than 34,000 units, representing growth of 23.6% compared to 2020. In March 2022, we announced 800 Ankai buses, powered by Yuchai YC6GN natural gas engines, were exported to Mexico.
China’s focus on developing the NEVs industry to curb air pollution has tapered in recent years after various incentives and infrastructure investments were introduced to encourage purchases of electric-powered vehicles. In March 2020, the NDRC and MIIT jointly announced the extension of government incentives for electric-power vehicles through the end 2022, which boosted the electric vehicle sales for 2021. In 2021, sales of electric commercial vehicles increased by approximately 49.9% to 166,108 units from 110,787 units in 2020. Yuchai also recorded a growth in sales of emerging NEV products. In 2021, Yuchai’s YCK05 hydrogen-powered engine achieved stable ignition and operation in a demonstration at the Beijing Institute of Technology.
Yuchai’s new engines compliant with the stringent emission standards and its growing NEV products are a result of research and development investments. Our R&D capabilities have led to strategic initiatives with new partners. In 2021, we entered into a strategic partnership agreement with an electric vehicle bus producer in China, Guangxi Shenlong Automobile Manufacturing to develop new energy vehicles and leverage their supply chains and distribution networks. To accelerate development of new energy technologies, Yuchai established Yuchai
Xin-Lan
New Energy Power Technology Co., Ltd., and entered into an agreement with Government of Nanning Municipality for the construction of the Yuchai
Xin-Lan
project. In February 2022, a new joint venture with Beijing Xing Shun Da Bus Co., Ltd., was incorporated to develop hydrogen energy applications for fuel cell powertrains.
Our gross profit margin was 13.9% in 2021, lower than 17.2% in 2019 and 15.5% in 2020. The decline in 2021 was primarily attributable to a change in revenue mix, transition to National VI compliant engines and higher material costs but was mitigated by cost reductions.
As a result, our profit attributable to equity holders of the Company was RMB272.7 million (US$43.1 million) for 2021, lower than RMB 604.9 million for 2019 and RMB 548.9 million 2020.
Uncertainties and adverse changes in the global and Chinese political, economic and social conditions could increase the costs associated with the development of our products, increases in prices and supply constraints of energy, raw materials or components, increase the cost and decrease the availability of potential sources of financing, and increase our exposure to material losses from our investments. See “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors” for further details. In addition, any changes in tax legislation in China or adverse findings from the tax authorities could have a material impact on the consolidated financial conditions or results of operations. Our main operating subsidiary, Yuchai, enjoys a preferential corporate tax rate of 15%. See “Item 10. Additional Information-Taxation” for further details. In the event Yuchai fails to enjoy this preferential tax rate, it will be subject to corporate tax at the rate of 25%.