Skyworth Auto makes IAA Transportation debut with five electric and intelligent commercial vehicles

Pictured: the new Skyworth Z9 truck

As anticipated in this post, Skyworth Auto is making its first-ever appearance at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, presenting five electric and intelligent commercial vehicles spanning heavy-duty transport, urban logistics, sanitation and passenger mobility.

At the centre of the company’s debut is the global premiere of the SKYWORTH Z9, a new battery-electric heavy truck combining Level 4 autonomous driving with intelligent connectivity. Alongside the Z9, Skyworth Auto is exhibiting the G18 autonomous electric refuse compactor, Urban Elf autonomous robobus, HONGTU V9 electric van and HONGTU X range-extended chassis cab.

Together, the five vehicles illustrate Skyworth Auto’s approach to combining new-energy powertrains and intelligent vehicle technologies across different commercial transport applications.

SKYWORTH Z9 makes its global premiere

The SKYWORTH Z9 L4 Autonomous Intelligent Heavy Truck combines battery-electric propulsion, Level 4 autonomous driving and intelligent connectivity in a single platform.

Designed for applications including ports, steel mills, rail yards and logistics corridors, the Z9 is equipped with a 400 kWh LFP battery and a dual-motor powertrain delivering 610 kW.

Skyworth Auto has designed the vehicle to operate as part of an integrated vehicle-cloud transportation system rather than simply as an autonomous truck in isolation. Intelligent dispatch, route optimisation and multi-vehicle coordination are intended to allow fleets to manage autonomous vehicles as a connected operation. According to the company, up to 18 autonomous vehicles can be coordinated by a single operator.

The Z9 also introduces Skyworth Auto’s “Across the Universe” design philosophy to its heavy-truck range, combining the new exterior design with a driver-oriented digital cockpit.

From urban logistics to autonomous sanitation

Four additional vehicles complete Skyworth Auto’s IAA line-up, extending the company’s electrified and intelligent technology portfolio across different commercial applications.

The SKYWORTH G18 is an L4 autonomous battery-electric refuse compactor developed for municipal waste collection and transfer. It combines electric propulsion and autonomous driving with intelligent sanitation operations.

The Urban Elf Robobus is an L4 autonomous electric shuttle designed for short-distance passenger transport in controlled environments such as campuses, airports, parks and communities.

For urban freight applications, the HONGTU V9 is a battery-electric light commercial van developed for urban logistics and last-mile delivery. The HONGTU X, meanwhile, is a range-extended chassis cab platform whose architecture can accommodate different body configurations and customised commercial applications.

Skyworth Auto strengthens its focus on Europe

Skyworth Auto says it has been developing autonomous driving technologies for the past eight years, with applications spanning logistics, sanitation and passenger transport.

The company reports having delivered more than 150,000 vehicles across over 45 countries and 100 cities worldwide. Its first participation in IAA Transportation is also intended to strengthen its presence in the European commercial vehicle market and develop relationships with customers and partners in the region.

“The biggest change is that intelligent technology is moving from demonstration to real-world application,” said Leon Liu, CTO of Skywell New Energy Vehicle Group. “For Skyworth Auto, this means we are evolving from a traditional commercial vehicle manufacturer into a technology-driven company that combines new energy vehicles, intelligent driving and customized solutions.”

Visitors to IAA Transportation 2026 can discover the five vehicles and meet the Skyworth Auto team in Hannover to learn more about the company’s electric and intelligent commercial vehicle technologies.