Recently Changsha has yielded fruitful results in expanding its construction machinery industry into overseas markets. Zoomlion obtained a big order worth more than 230 million yuan in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Global Ports Company purchased 80 electric terminal tractors from SANY Marine, a subsidiary of SANY Heavy Industry, representing the largest single order of electric terminal tractors globally. The first shipment of complete excavation equipment produced by Sunward Intelligence has been delivered to Africa. In the first five months of 2024, Changsha's exports of construction machinery expanded 28% to 12.68 billion yuan, ranking first among cities in China.

Exploring overseas market is a powerful way for Changsha to develop the construction machinery sector amid an economic downturn. The city has continued to implement a localizaiton strategy to secure success abroad. Zoomlion launched updated cranes, tower cranes, and concrete machinery in Saudi Arabia, adapted to local working conditions. The machines are able to withstand high temperatures and sandstorms, with high efficiency and reliability.

Enterprises have achieved localization of its manufacturing, purchasing, employment, services, and marketing in oversea markets. At the end of 2023, SANY Heavy Industry established a new base in South Africa. The base is designated as a regional manufacturing center, a logistics hub, and a talent center, with an annual output of 1,000 excavators and other construction machinery.

"Internationalization will be the dominant trend in the future as the globalization accelerates," said SINOBOOM Chairman Liu Guoliang, citing that China-made aerial work platforms have occupied 90% market share in China. In the next five years, the international market share of China's major brands will exceed 50%.

Changsha's construction machinery products have been sold to 180 countries and regions, making it a powerful competitor globally, according to a staff member of the Changsha Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology. Changsha will continue to increase the presence of such products in high-end European and American markets, integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative through platforms such as the China-Africa Economic Trade Expo and the Pioneering Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and expand emerging markets in RCEP member countries.