The visit highlighted HANGCHA’s progress in AI-powered logistics and its growing local presence in Europe.

On October 22, Christelle Morançais, President of the Pays de la Loire Region in France, visited HANGCHA Group with a delegation of more than 20 representatives. The visit focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence, robotics and electrification in manufacturing and logistics.

During a tour of HANGCHA’s intelligent manufacturing facilities, the delegation learned about its automated production systems and intelligent logistics capabilities. HANGCHA also presented LogiMind, its industrial embodied AI foundation model, together with a new generation of autonomous forklifts. These technologies support environmental perception, autonomous decision-making and coordinated operation, enabling more efficient, 24/7 unattended logistics.

The delegation and HANGCHA also discussed R&D, flexible manufacturing and the use of robotics in industrial production. For high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, HANGCHA combines automation with human expertise to maintain operational flexibility.

President Morançais congratulated HANGCHA and Manitou Group on their long-standing partnership. She highlighted the delegation’s interest in the real-world application of AI and robotics in China and described HANGCHA’s investment in Pays de la Loire as a strong example of industrial cooperation between China and France.

The year 2026 marks HANGCHA’s 70th anniversary and 20 years of partnership with Manitou. In July, HANGCHA and Manitou Group officially inaugurated the HM Battery Solutions lithium-ion battery plant in Le Mans, further strengthening their cooperation in battery technology and localized manufacturing in Europe.

HANGCHA looks forward to further cooperation with French businesses, innovation agencies and research institutions in electrification, intelligent logistics and advanced manufacturing.