Scania's trucks are showcased at the groundbreaking ceremony for its production base in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

The first phase of Scania's truck manufacturing factory in Rugao Economic and Technological Development Zone, with an investment exceeding 10 billion yuan ($1.37 billion), is nearing completion. Over 800,000 square meters of factory have been built, and all production lines are now in the commissioning phase.

The project integrates Scania's latest technologies from its European and South American plants to establish a state-of-the-art intelligent truck manufacturing facility.

Renato Mascarenhas, vice-president of industrial operations for Scania Asia, said the company plans to begin production next year with an annual capacity of 50,000 units, and its operations in China adopt best practices while incorporating the latest advancements from the country. As production scales up, localization will also gradually increase, he said.

Founded in 1891 in Sweden, Scania is one of the world's leading heavy vehicle manufacturers, known for its modular system and strong profitability in the commercial vehicle sector. Its products are sold in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.

The Rugao facility marks Scania's third global production base, following its operations in Europe and South America, further solidifying the company's strategic footprint in China.