The company was founded in 1958 as Liaocheng Vehicle Manufacturing and Repair Factory, and began building buses in 1971. After a series of name changes adopted its current name, Zhongtong Bus, in 1998.[3] In 2000, Zhongtong and the Netherlands VDL Bova Signed a technology transfer agreement to produce Zhongtong Bofa series buses.[4]
The company was previously owned by the state-owned Shandong Communications Industry Group. In August 2018, Shandong Communications Industry Group was acquired by Shandong Heavy Industry Group, and Zhongtong Bus became a subsidiary of Shandong Heavy Industry Group.[5]
A Zhongtong LCK6600BEV5 (possibly unlicensed clone of Toyota HiAce H200 high roof van)
A Zhongtong LCK6910GC (Bangkok 118 CO., LTD.)
Zhongtong LCK6600BEV Series
The Zhongtong LCK6600BEV Series is an unlicensed clone of Toyota HiAce (H200) van, with similar body styles and overall vehicle dimensions, but only offered 3 trims in LCK6600BEV lineup. All trims uses hybrid powertrain.
This vehicle is powered by a hybrid powertrain, uses asynchronous motor and 35kWh battery that had 175 km (91 mi) range and can charge up to 1 hours, and uses 2.5 L 4J25TC TDi Turbo Diesel I4, 2.8 L 4JB1 TDi Turbo Diesel I4 and 2.0 L 4Di Diesel I4 diesel engines, in order to charge battery by using the engine to generate power.
The trims are BEV5, BEV4, BEV6 and BEV5PV trims. Zhongtong also offered as LCK6600BEV4 as only offered in normal roof, short-wheelbase variant. Zhongtong also released as a higher roof long-wheelbase variant called LCK6600BEV6 and panel van LCK6600BEV5PV for commercial use. The vehicle was released in China and Taiwan in 2014, along with a LCK6600BEV Series lineup.
This was the first mass-produced electric van sold only in the China market, based on fifth generation Toyota HiAce, made from Joylong.
Other electric vehicles such as Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Mitsubishi Outlander, Citroën Ami, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Volkswagen ID.3 and Mazda MX-30, Zhongtong's hybrid van would not fight sales of electric vehicles because of having producing many vans and bring them to many customers. Zhongtong named World HEV Van because it's a first mass-produced van that is based on Toyota HiAce H200 van but running in hybrid drive powertrain, thanks to the CHAdeMO charging port located at beside the driver's door, just like HiAce fuel tank relocated did it by Toyota.
Unlike all electric vehicles, the LCK6600BEV-series is all together with Zhongtong LCK Platform lineup and Zhongtong recently released the low entry bus called Fashion. The Zhongtong Fashion was released in May 2021, the diesel engine and hybrid drivetrain and powertrain variants. Released in Philippine market exclusively for Premium Point-to-Point bus services, the Fashion nameplate is based on the heritage exclusive clothing wording. The model code for Fashion is LCK6125G. The hybrid variant model code for Fashion is LCK6101HEV or Fashion Hybrid. Zhongtong also released a new model called Magnate, released in 2019 and revised version of Elegance released on the same year. The new Zhongtong Magnate's model code is LCK6128H and revised Elegance with blue strobe light on side window is LCK6118H.
This was the first Zhongtong hybrid van sold only in the China market. The LCK6600BEV5 continued production due to being popular demand of HiAce H200 van clone. The Jinbei Grand Haise are among the various Chinese vans from domestic brands that chose to replicate the Toyota HiAce H200 vans with only minor styling differences. Other brands include government owned manufacturers including Rely, Jinbei, Golden Dragon, King Long, Joylong and Foton.
Operations
The company states the combined floor-space of its facilities total around 300,000 square meters.[6] A subsidiary, Xinjiang Zhongtong Bus Co Ltd, is responsible for a production line that became operational in 2007.[3]
Zhongtong buses are widely used in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. Most buses there run on methane.[10]
It is also custom made for TransJakarta, a Bus Rapid Transit system in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia.
Asia
Singapore
In Singapore, the Zhongtong LCK6126EVG N12 buses deployed have been passenger service in since 2022, together with BYD B12A03 buses, operated by ComfortDelGro Bus.
Zhongtong buses are also procured in large numbers by Singapore's Land Transport Authority as part of Contract PT601B in 2023. A total of 120 low-floor electric single-deck production batch LCK6126EVG N12 buses were procured, and first revenue service in 2025. 2 units of LCK6126EVGS N12D 11.99 metre 3 door 2 staircase electric double-deck buses were also delivered to Singapore. These buses were featured in the global launch of the new LCK6126EVGS N12D bus in Singapore. One unit was showcased at SITCE 2024.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, the Zhongtong buses are used in Melaka's Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) programme in mid-2024. SBST Melaka was later renamed BAS.MY Melaka. The buses were painted pink after the rebranding of SBST Melaka.
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