Comprehensive Interpretation | New Generation Heavy Truck HOWO-TS7: A New Benchmark in the Domestic Heavy Truck Industry

China National Heavy Duty Truck Group's new generation HOWO TS7 heavy-duty truck has been officially released and launched for over a week now; In recent days, the author has gained further understanding of this heavy-duty truck. Let me briefly summarize it. 

The HOWO brand is a well-known and excellent brand in the truck industry. It celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024 and has produced and sold a total of 2 million heavy-duty trucks (with an average annual sales of 100000 vehicles), creating the "sales king" of a single brand heavy-duty truck in China. It is marketed both domestically and internationally and is a model in the industry; At this point, it is inseparable from the innovative leadership and inheritance of excellent products from generation to generation of Howo.

On June 30, 2024, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group celebrated the 20th anniversary of the birth of the HOWO brand and launched a new generation of heavy-duty truck HOWO TS7 (with the letter H representing ultra-high top), which is positioned for efficient mainline logistics transportation.

HOWO TS7 made its first public appearance at the China National Heavy Duty Truck Group 2024 Partner Conference on January 5-7, 2024; It is expected that it will be officially launched after six months. So, on the day of its official launch, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group not only announced its guidance price of 486800 yuan (6 × 4 semi-trailer tractor with WP15NG/630PS+AMT), but also provided benefits to 1276 users who subscribed to HOWO TS7 on site, and signed sales targets with many dealers on site. Everything comes naturally.

udging from its strength, it is expected that HOWO TS7 will once again become another outstanding heavy-duty truck brand of China National Heavy Duty Truck Group's HOWO brand and a new benchmark in the domestic heavy-duty truck industry with many new highlights and advantages. What are the characteristics and advantages of this car?

1. In terms of the cockpit: the top-level cockpit provides cardholders with a healthy and comfortable "mobile home"

(1) In terms of design, compared to previous HOWO-TS7 heavy-duty trucks, the new generation HOWO-TS7 adopts a flat floor, ultra-high roof, full-size cab, and its external design adopts a more delicate, agile, handsome, and powerful European style design. In the middle of each disc-shaped air intake grille, it divides into hexagonal shapes to form a solid disc seat, which is arranged in a staggered manner as a whole; A pair of six deformed sickle shaped headlights are embedded above both ends of the bumper, shining brightly, echoing the domestically first pair of pentagonal high auxiliary high beams located at the top of the cab, and forming an organic whole with the front face design; The HOWO logo above the intake grille has a more square shape, with an additional flexibility than before, which is also one of the differences; The China National Heavy Duty Truck Group logo/logo in the middle of the intake grille is still located in the center of the front face; The oversized front windshield has distinct curved surfaces on both sides, which enhances the driving visibility; The side mirrors, as well as the doors, windows, door handles, etc., are also carefully designed.

(2) In terms of indoor space, the cab adopts a super high roof, full-size, and large space design, with an inner width of 2215mm and an inner height of 2200mm, meeting the maximum allowable size of the standard; The storage space of 700L is already quite large.

(3) In terms of indoor noise, the entire vehicle has undergone a brand new optimization and upgrade of NVH (noise, vibration, and roughness), adopting strategies such as 0.48Cd technology to reduce drag and save air consumption. This not only reduces wind resistance, but also further reduces noise and vibration inside the cab. At the same time, the sound absorption coefficient of the cabin interior is ≥ 0.9, the airtightness of the cabin is improved by ≥ 50%, and the overall sound insulation of the vehicle is improved by ≥ 10dB; Thus, the noise inside the cab is kept below 48dB, reaching a "quiet" level, and caring for the health of truck drivers from the source. According to the company, HOWO-TS7 is also the first heavy-duty truck to pass the domestic commercial vehicle quietness certification.

 （4）In terms of interior, it adopts a passenger grade interior with elegant colors, bringing a supreme driving experience. The sleeper fabric adopts 3D fabric for the first time in the domestic industry, which not only has high elasticity and strong support, but also is more breathable and comfortable.

(5) In terms of convenience: The driver's cabin door adopts a 3-level pedal and a 4-stage step, and the interior adopts a flat floor design. It is equipped with air spring seats and a 1100mm pull-out wide sleeper, further enhancing the convenience and comfort of riding.

Short review: The fully upgraded HOWO-TS7 cab has both heritage and many innovations and breakthroughs, creating a more relaxed, convenient, and comfortable "mobile home" for drivers.

2. In terms of engines: the peak of efficient power in the gas heavy-duty truck industry

The new generation HOWO-TS7 (6 × 4) gas tractor released this time is equipped with Weichai Power's new generation NG4.0 version WP15NG (630PS) and WP17NG (700PS) gas engines customized for China National Heavy Duty Truck Group based on the 54.16% high thermal efficiency platform. The whole machine adopts S-IEC gas intelligent control technology, which has the characteristics of high thermal efficiency, more throttle, and stronger power. Among them, WP15NG has a displacement of 14.6L, a maximum power of 630PS, and a maximum torque of 2800Nm; WP17NG has a displacement of 16.6L, a maximum power of 700PS, and a maximum torque of 3200Nm. This power can be regarded as the ceiling of the domestic gas heavy-duty truck industry, with even stronger power.

Short review: The new generation HOWO-TS7 tractor launched this time has two gas engines to choose from. Why are both natural gas engines? According to analysis, it is to meet the current market's strong demand for gas heavy-duty trucks.

3. In terms of chassis configuration: adopting an infinite S-power chain

The all-new HOWO-TS7 gas tractor is equipped with an "infinite S-power chain". This "infinite power chain" is composed of Weichai Power's customized NG4.0 version WP15/WP17 gas engine (more powerful and more throttle) for China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group's self-developed 9th generation integrated S-AMT16 transmission (more efficient and intelligent), and MCY series high-efficiency drive axle (more efficient and reliable). It is a "chassis bridge chain development" and the original power chain, which can achieve "1+1+1>3". 

Among them, the China National Heavy Duty Truck Group's 16 speed AMT transmission adopts an integrated modular design, with a B10 lifespan of up to 2 million km, and uses high-precision shaft rotation, with a rotation efficiency of up to 99.8%.

Short review: The three major components are all based on proven and mature technologies that have been refined and sublimated, and their quality and performance have been verified.

4. In terms of safety configuration: creating a solid fortress for passengers

In terms of active safety, there are several main aspects: firstly, HOWO-TS7 adopts intelligent assisted driving technology. Secondly, for the first time in China, high-level auxiliary high beam technology (located at the top of the driver's cab) has been adopted to enhance nighttime driving safety. The third is the adoption of a large front windshield and further optimized rearview mirrors, which provide a wide driving field of view. These significantly improve and fully guarantee the active safety of the entire vehicle.

In terms of passive safety, it is reported that the HOWO-TS7 cab has been optimized with more than 30 body force flow transmission structures, equipped with collapse energy absorption technology, and has passed the double A-pillar strength test, side strength test, top strength test, and rear strength test. It has also passed the ECE R29-03 experimental verification in one go, upgrading its protective performance and creating a solid fortress for passengers.

Short review: From the perspective of active and passive safety configuration, safeguard measures, and test results, the safety level of HOWO-TS7 has reached a new level in the industry. Among them, the intelligent assisted driving technology adopted by HOWO-TS7 includes various projects, which were not listed one by one at this launch conference; But as China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, which launched the first generation of intelligent trucks in 2016 and led the intelligentization of heavy trucks in China, it has already become proficient in this area.

5. In terms of handling: within reach, just right

It can be seen that HOWO-TS7 still adopts the popular surround style instrument panel. In addition to the foot brake pedal, accelerator pedal, door system control device, and seat adjustment button located in traditional positions or outside the body, other control devices include transmission, parking brake, auxiliary brake and other control devices, all of which are distributed on the instrument panel or steering column (and steering wheel), within reach, and the driver only needs to visually inspect the front and control as needed.

Short review: From the perspective of active and passive safety configuration, safeguard measures, and test results, the safety level of HOWO-TS7 has reached a new level in the industry. Among them, the intelligent assisted driving technology adopted by HOWO-TS7 includes various projects, which were not listed one by one at this launch conference; But as China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, which launched the first generation of intelligent trucks in 2016 and led the intelligentization of heavy trucks in China, it has already become proficient in this area.

5. In terms of handling: within reach, just right

It can be seen that HOWO-TS7 still adopts the popular surround style instrument panel. In addition to the foot brake pedal, accelerator pedal, door system control device, and seat adjustment button located in traditional positions or outside the body, other control devices include transmission, parking brake, auxiliary brake and other control devices, all of which are distributed on the instrument panel or steering column (and steering wheel), within reach, and the driver only needs to visually inspect the front and control as needed.

At the same time, it can be seen that the series of physical control devices (buttons/levers) of HOWO-TS7 are arranged in an orderly and eye-catching manner, complementing the LED screen and instrument system, appearing very practical and meeting the latest expectations of drivers.

Comment: At the HOWO-TS7 launch event, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group did not render the display screen (commonly known as the large screen) inside the driver's cab to show how many functions it has. This design concept reflects the actual needs of current drivers and the new product positioning, which is great! In fact, excessive automotive intelligence does not represent leadership and high-end, but only represents "piling up" and showing off. Only "just right" intelligence, excellent vehicle quality, and outstanding performance indicators represent the true high-end today!

In recent years, with the arrival of trends such as intelligence and electrification in the automotive industry, many domestic automotive companies, especially passenger car companies, have blindly pursued and exaggerated the intelligence of car control devices for a long time - that is, many important functions related to driving safety, such as air conditioning, wipers, lights, etc., have been changed from physical buttons (knobs) to screen control (touch/voice control), which is integrated into one or two large display screens. Some important functions are even placed under the second and third level menus, which is very inconvenient to operate and brings great hidden dangers to driving safety. The consequences of this in the passenger car industry have already emerged! Many knowledgeable people have called for not excessively "intelligentizing" cars.

A foreign news has sounded the alarm for the excessive intelligence of automobiles! According to a report from The Times in March 2024, starting from January 2026, the European NCAP will implement new safety evaluation standards, which stipulate that newly launched cars must be equipped with physical switches (buttons or levers) for functions such as turn signals, emergency lights (flashing lights), horns, wipers, and eCall (emergency phone) in order to receive the highest crash test rating (five-star). Regarding this, Matthew Avery, the Strategic Development Director in charge of the New Car Assessment Program at NCAP Europe, explained that "the overuse (/misuse) of touch screens is a problem for the entire industry. Almost every car manufacturer has moved (varying numbers) of key control devices to the central touch screen, forcing drivers to look away from the road and increasing the risk of distracted collisions." "Starting from 2026, we will encourage the use of intuitive physical buttons to focus drivers' attention.

6. In terms of reliability: high-quality and highly reliable full-time heavy-duty trucks

HOWO-TS7 is developed and designed by China National Heavy Duty Truck Engineering Technology Research Center, supported by many world-class supply chains, and produced by an intelligent factory with world leading level (China National Heavy Duty Truck Laiwu Factory). It has undergone over 1 million kilometers of vehicle road equivalent verification and over 20 million kilometers of regional cumulative verification, and has passed the "three high tests" of 5200m, 45 ℃, and -40 ℃. It is a high-quality and highly reliable full service heavy-duty truck created by China National Heavy Duty Truck.

Short review: Since the birth of China's first heavy-duty truck, the Yellow River JN150, in 1960, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group has been wholeheartedly dedicated to manufacturing heavy-duty trucks. It has invested heavily in research and development, factory construction, industrial chain layout, and marketing system construction, and has been leading the industry. Based on over 60 years of experience in heavy truck manufacturing and 20 years of accumulation of HOWO-TS7 brand products, we believe that the new generation of heavy truck HOWO-TS7 will not disappoint users, and may even bring surprises.

■ Finally: One of the most profitable heavy trucks

It is reported that HOWO-TS7 heavy-duty truck has undergone 218 technological upgrades based on the previous generation product, and has undergone more than 520 digital simulations and over 400 laboratory/bench experiments. With the joint support of first-class design, first-class configuration, first-class manufacturing, and first-class verification, it has the characteristics of ultra-low wind resistance, lightweight comfort, high efficiency and reliability, as well as high economy, high reliability, high power, and high safety. Therefore, it is called the most profitable heavy-duty truck and worth looking forward to.