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In recent weeks, a reporter received calls from several large truck drivers who expressed concerns about the growing trend of some transportation companies requesting manufacturers to remove ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) in order to cut down vehicle purchase costs. Some manufacturers have even gone as far as dismantling the system to lower the selling price. However, according to GB 7258-2004 "Technical Conditions for the Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles," commercial vehicles are required to be equipped with ABS. This standard is considered the foundation of safety for commercial vehicles.
GB 7258-2004 is one of the most critical technical regulations in China’s motor vehicle safety management. It serves as the primary basis for the safety inspection of new vehicles, regular vehicle checks, and accident investigations. It also plays a key role in the mandatory inspections of new and imported vehicles. The regulation was introduced in 2004 and became effective in 2005, following a sharp increase in car ownership and traffic accidents in China.
Despite these regulations, enforcement has been lacking, resulting in a low installation rate of ABS in commercial vehicles. According to the standard, long-distance passenger cars, tourist buses over 12 tons, trucks over 10 tons, and trailers over 10 tons must install ABS as per GB/T 13594. A notice issued by relevant authorities in 2005 required all newly registered vehicles to include ABS starting from February 2005.
However, industry insiders admit that while the regulations require commercial vehicles to have ABS, implementation has not been fully effective. Many manufacturers and users lack awareness of the importance of ABS, leading to low installation rates. Since 2005, all large and medium-sized passenger cars and heavy-duty trucks should have ABS installed, but the actual number falls far short of expectations. Some manufacturers do not equip their vehicles with ABS at all, or offer it as an optional feature.
In certain regions, enforcement of the rules is weak. There have been cases where commercial vehicles that should have had ABS were found without it. Some officials in vehicle management departments admitted they cannot accurately determine if a commercial vehicle is equipped with ABS. Due to poor oversight, some vehicles that don’t meet the national standards still manage to get license plates.
In the market, some manufacturers prioritize sales over compliance. Customers have requested not to install ABS to reduce costs, and some manufacturers have even removed it upon request. A representative from a foreign ABS manufacturer explained that a typical ABS system for commercial vehicles includes four sensors and four solenoid valves, costing between RMB 5,000 and RMB 6,000. Compared to the total cost of a commercial vehicle, this is a small expense. Yet, many manufacturers and owners choose to skip it, showing a short-sighted approach.
Looking ahead, ABS is expected to become a standard feature in commercial vehicles. WABCO, a leading manufacturer of ABS systems, notes that European regulations have required ABS on vehicles over 16 tons since 1991 and on light trucks over 5 tons since 2001. In China, the trend toward mandatory ABS installation for commercial vehicles is inevitable.
Currently, the installation rate of ABS in passenger cars is relatively high, especially for large and medium-sized buses. In 2005, more than 50,000 ABS units were sold in the passenger car sector. However, the installation rate for trucks remains low. Heavy-duty trucks are required by law to have ABS, but actual numbers fall well below the expected 60,000 units. For light trucks and mini-trucks, the installation rate is less than 1%, with most models offering ABS only as an option.
The semi-trailer tractors, classified as heavy trucks, are also required to have ABS. Theoretically, around 56,000 ABS units should have been sold in 2005 for this segment, but actual numbers were much lower. The main reason is the highly competitive nature of the light truck market and the relatively low profit margins, making the cost of installing ABS a significant burden for many manufacturers and vehicle owners.
As safety awareness grows and regulations tighten, the future of commercial vehicles will likely see a widespread adoption of ABS, ensuring better road safety across the country.