Weichai Power: Poor Realization of Independent Innovation
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October 05 02:01:36, 2025
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of China's automotive industry, various influential models have been highlighted that shaped its development over the past half-century. Among them is Steyr, a name deeply embedded in the history of Chinese heavy truck manufacturing.
Steyr, a picturesque town in Austria, has long been recognized as a key research and development hub for diesel engines. It's also a source of innovation and advanced concepts in the global engine industry. Today, this small European town is home to several international R&D centers, and now, there's a growing presence of Chinese companies. Weichai Power, in collaboration with AVL, has established an R&D center here, where they developed the "Lan-Qing WP10/12" — China's first 10-liter and 12-liter high-power Euro III engine with full independent intellectual property rights.
According to Tan Xuguang, Chairman of Weichai Power, the "Blue Engine" is not a direct continuation of the Steyr series. Instead, it represents a new technological breakthrough and an independent brand built on Weichai's own research and development efforts. However, the roots of Weichai's success still lie in its early collaboration with Steyr.
The connection between Weichai and Steyr began in the 1980s when China sought to enhance its heavy-duty vehicle production capacity. A joint project was launched, involving the introduction of the Austrian Steyr 91 series vehicles and WD engines. This initiative marked the beginning of Weichai's journey into engine manufacturing. In 1989, the Steyr engine produced by Weifang Diesel Engine Factory passed national testing, and it started supporting整车 (complete vehicles). Over time, more than 100 localization improvements were made to the Steyr engine.
However, the overall project faced challenges. The CNHTC vehicle introduction did not pass inspection until 1993, leading to budget overruns and financial strain. While CNHTC struggled, Weichai found a new path. In 1998, Tan Xuguang took charge of Weifang Diesel Engine Factory and initiated reforms. He proposed using Steyr engines for construction machinery instead of just trucks.
Construction machinery required higher torque reserves and greater reliability compared to standard vehicles. Steyr’s strong power, low fuel consumption, and durability made it ideal for this application. Engineers adapted the design to meet the specific demands of non-road environments, resulting in nearly 100 specialized Steyr engine models for construction equipment. These engines quickly gained popularity and became a dominant force in the domestic market.
Over the years, Weichai transitioned from merely adopting Steyr technology to innovating independently. From Euro I to Euro II, they refined combustion performance while maintaining their own R&D principles. By 2003–2004, they introduced fuel efficiency improvements and redeveloped combustion systems. After more than a decade of learning, adapting, and innovating, Weichai transformed the imported Steyr engine into a homegrown product. The newly launched “Blue Engine†series marks another step toward full independence.
Today, the Steyr brand is no longer used, and Weichai's WD615 engine is fully self-developed. As Sun Jian, Director of Weichai's High-Speed Machine Design Office, stated, "We've moved beyond Steyr and now lead with our own technology."
This evolution highlights Weichai's journey from technology import to independent innovation, shaping the future of China's automotive and engine industries.