International Faculty Visit to Hubei Yizhuan Automobile Co., Ltd. in Shiyan
Published: July 2026 
Source: SGRC-WA Relations Office
On 3 July 2026, international faculty members visited Hubei Yizhuan Automobile Co., Ltd. in Shiyan as part of an industrial familiarization visit coordinated by Prof. Sun Yuan. The visit formed part of SGRC-WA/SFST’s ongoing efforts to strengthen academic-industry engagement and deepen international faculty members’ understanding of Shiyan’s automotive industrial ecosystem.
Founded in March 2015, Hubei Yizhuan Automobile Co., Ltd. is a leading special-purpose vehicle manufacturer with its independent brand, “Zhuanzhi.” The company’s product portfolio comprises seven major series: sanitation vehicles, truck-mounted cranes, dangerous goods transport vehicles, oilfield special vehicles, special operation vehicles, emergency rescue vehicles, and refrigerated trucks. It has an annual production capacity of 20,000 special-purpose vehicles.
During the visit, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Yan Shangbao, the company's Chief Executive Officer, who led the international faculty members on a guided tour of the factory. The tour provided valuable insights into the company’s production systems, special vehicle manufacturing processes, industrial partnerships, and market development strategies.
A section of the international faculty members during the guided factory tour led by Mr. Yan Shangbao, CEO of Ricalt Automobile Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd.
Hubei Yizhuan is recognized as a national high-tech enterprise, a Hubei Provincial Enterprise Technology Center, a Hubei Provincial “Specialized, Refined, Unique and Innovative” Little Giant Enterprise, one of the Top 100 Private Manufacturing Enterprises in Hubei Province, and a Hubei Provincial Champion Enterprise in a Single Manufacturing Segment. The company currently holds 496 official vehicle announcements for various special vehicles, accounting for 33.1% of the total announcements among 55 special vehicle manufacturers in Shiyan, ranking first among local special vehicle enterprises in the city.
The delegation also learned about the company’s domestic and international market development. Hubei Yizhuan has built strong platforms in production, sales, and supply chain management, with end-user sales networks across more than 20 provincial-level regions in China. Its international business is supported by Ricalt Automobile Technology (Hubei) Co., Ltd., the company’s authorized overseas distributor, which helps promote Yizhuan’s special-purpose vehicles and related services in overseas markets.
Rooted in Shiyan, widely regarded as one of China’s major automobile cities, Hubei Yizhuan has established long-term strategic partnerships with leading automotive brands, including Dongfeng, FAW Jiefang, Shaanxi Automobile, and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group. As a large-scale special-vehicle refitting and manufacturing base for Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles in western Hubei, the company continues to contribute to the development of China’s special-vehicle industry.
The visit provided international faculty members with practical exposure to Shiyan’s special vehicle sector and created opportunities for further dialogue on academic-industry collaboration, international cooperation, and applied research within the automotive industry.
