Chongqing - At a logistics yard in the Chongqing Hub Port Industrial Park in Jiangjin District, home to Chongqing Shangfeng Technology Co., Ltd., 13 containers stand ready for shipment. Inside are more than 500 brightly colored three-wheeled motorcycles—nicknamed "sanbengzi" by Chinese netizens—destined for markets across Africa and Latin America.

Three-wheeled motorcycles manufactured by Chongqing Shangfeng Technology Co., Ltd. are parked at the factory, ready for export overseas. (Photo/Peng Yu)

Back in late 2023, when Chongqing Shangfeng Technology Co., Ltd. had just relocated to its new plant, few would have expected such rapid growth. Within one year, the company sold 16,000 three-wheeled vehicles to more than 30 countries, generating nearly 100 million yuan (about $14 million) in revenue. For 2026, it has set a target of 20,000 units, aiming for a further 30 percent increase.

"Without going global, you risk being left behind," said Tian Xiangfei, the company's executive vice general manager—a belief that has driven its expansion overseas.

Exploring Overseas Markets Firsthand

The company's international journey began under pressure. In 2022, domestic demand for three-wheelers dropped sharply, forcing Shangfeng to rethink its strategy. Instead of competing in a shrinking local market, it turned outward.

Tian led a small team to the Middle East and Africa to study demand on the ground—often under challenging and even dangerous conditions. During a research trip in Iraq, he witnessed a car explosion just meters away.

Despite such risks, the team pressed on, traveling through cities and rural areas to understand local needs. Their findings revealed stark differences: Middle Eastern markets favored lightweight cargo vehicles, African buyers needed durable heavy-load models, while South American towns showed demand for passenger tricycles.

These insights helped the company build a distribution network reaching from major cities to smaller communities, laying the foundation for its rapid export growth.

Customizing for Diverse Needs

Back at its factory, customization has become the company's competitive edge.

Each vehicle is tailored to specific customer requirements. For example, a Nigerian client requested a water tanker capable of pumping water to the height of a three-story building—something uncommon in China. After multiple design iterations and on-site testing, the company delivered a solution, securing a follow-up order of 22 units.

Local residents give a thumbs-up to Jiangjin-made “sanbengzi” tricycles. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Other customized models include ambulance tricycles for Uganda, mobile food trucks for the Middle East, and cold-chain vehicles capable of operating at minus 20 degrees Celsius.

"Every detail matters," Tian said, pointing to features such as cup holders, audio systems and reinforced cargo racks. "These are not random additions—they are designed to make the vehicles more practical for local users."

Scaling up for Global Demand

As overseas orders surge, the company is racing to expand production capacity. What was once a single mixed-use production line has grown into two dedicated lines, with output and workforce both doubling. Orders are already scheduled through April.

To improve efficiency, the factory reorganized its workflow, introducing specialized pre-assembly teams for components such as tires and axles before final assembly.

Meanwhile, the company continues to strengthen its overseas presence. More than 30 employees are stationed abroad, many working through holidays to maintain operations and secure new orders.

Their efforts reflect a broader trend. In 2025, total foreign trade at the Chongqing Hub Port Industrial Park approached 10 billion yuan, highlighting the city's growing role as an inland gateway to global markets.

From conflict zones to rural communities, Chongqing's three-wheeled vehicles are finding their way into everyday life across Asia, Africa and Latin America—demonstrating how a once-local product is gaining global traction through resilience, adaptability, and innovation.