Navio and Sinotruk announce long-term strategic partnership to develop autonomous trucks. Navio and Sinotruk have entered into a long-term strategic partnership aimed at the joint development of autonomous freight vehicles and scaling up autonomous haulage operations. The collaboration will result in the mass production of a new Sitrak truck model, equipped to integrate Navio’s autonomous driving technology.
The new Sitrak truck will come with nearly all the required hardware for autonomous operation. Full autonomy will be achieved after the integration of Navio’s technology and electronic components by Sinotruk’s own engineering centre. Mass production will ensure compliance with global quality and safety standards, increase output volumes, and reduce manufacturing costs. The hardware installed in the Sitrak trucks will undergo rigorous testing in line with Navio’s requirements.
Before the new autonomous Sitrak model can operate on public roads, the partners will conduct a full development cycle and a series of prototype tests. These trials will be carried out in multiple stages, accounting for the specific conditions of Russian road infrastructure and climate.
The first production models will undergo certification in Russia to confirm compliance with the “Safety of Wheeled Vehicles” technical regulations. After integrating Navio’s software and hardware, the trucks will receive additional certification as Highly Automated Transport Systems (HATS), permitting them to operate autonomously on public roads.
«We are confident that demand for autonomous freight transport will grow significantly in the near future, with more highways becoming accessible for such vehicles. By then, we must be ready to scale our fleet of autonomous trucks to meet market needs. For this, we require partners with standardised production processes and strict quality control. Mass production will also reduce costs, ultimately lowering freight rates. Together with Sinotruk, we are developing a new truck model ready for Navio’s autonomous driving technology, delivering a cutting-edge product to the market.»
«For Russia, autonomous commercial vehicles are a crucial step towards improving freight efficiency, given the vast distances, diverse climate zones, and the need to connect remote regions. Projects like our collaboration with Navio are vital for boosting both industry performance and the national economy. We are proud to contribute our production capabilities and engineering expertise, which have been highly valued by our partner.»
According to AUTOSTAT, Sitrak was the best-selling heavy truck brand in Russia in 2024, demonstrating strong demand among transport companies. Additionally, the manufacturer boasts an extensive service network across the country, with over 300 dealerships in 109 cities.