In mainland China, the survival of large truck drivers is difficult, with cases of drivers committing suicide being reported constantly. A viral video circulating on the internet recently featured a large truck driver expressing his distress over the harsh conditions they face. According to him, there have already been two cases of large truck drivers taking their own lives this year. He tearfully questioned why truck drivers struggle so much that they can’t even provide for their families.
The video highlighted the story of a big brother from Hubei who drove a 6.8-meter-high truck and tragically hanged himself inside his own vehicle. He was found wearing only a pair of oversized pants, a worn-out T-shirt, and even his slippers had fallen off.
With a heavy heart, the driver in the video lamented, “Big brother! What drove you to not fear death? What happened to us truck drivers? This is the second truck driver who has committed suicide this year. The first one was driving a 4.2-meter-high truck and couldn’t bear the repair costs at the workshop, leading to his decision to end his life.”
He continued, “Those who are not truck drivers will never understand how tough it is for us. Let’s talk about transportation fees – in some cases, truck drivers don’t even earn enough to cover their fuel and toll expenses, leading to operating losses. But they have no choice but to take the job, as not doing so means no income at all.”
The driver raised concerns about the difficulties faced by truck drivers, including struggling to repay truck loans and encountering clients who cannot pay for transportation services. The pressure of financial obligations weighs heavily on these drivers, making their livelihoods increasingly precarious.
Recently, an independent media source “Guawei’erwa” reported that millions of large truck drivers in mainland China have chosen to stop operating, with hundreds of thousands permanently leaving the industry. This massive exodus of drivers reflects a crisis in the trucking sector, jeopardizing the once-thriving community of thirty million freight drivers.
“Guawei’erwa” emphasized that the disappearance of truck drivers is attributed to various factors such as age-related retirement, industry turmoil, and insufficient transportation fees. The declining number of industry professionals reflects the deteriorating conditions within the freight transport sector, pushing many to reevaluate their career choices.
In the era of advanced automotive technologies, autonomous driving stands out as a prominent trend. Reports from 2018 highlighted the integration of autonomous driving features in vehicles like the HOWO-T5G truck by China’s leading truck manufacturer, China Heavy Duty Truck Group.
The adoption of autonomous technology in vehicles has reshaped the logistics and transportation industry, marking a shift towards intelligent automation systems in the freight sector. Regulatory developments in cities like Hangzhou, where legislation encourages the testing and application of intelligent connected vehicles, showcase a paradigm shift towards embracing driverless transport initiatives.
On July 7th, the self-media platform “Xingchen Digital” reflected on the growing prevalence of autonomous trucks in industrial and logistics zones, highways, and expressways, leading to the displacement of traditional truck operations. This wave of automation poses a significant challenge to truck drivers reliant on manual operation, as well as manufacturers of heavy-duty and light commercial vehicles facing unprecedented pressure in adapting to the changing landscape.
The rise of autonomous driving technologies signifies a pivotal moment for the transportation industry, signaling a transition towards an era where traditional vehicle manufacturing may witness a decline. This shift places immense pressure on manufacturers, with potential closures looming as the autonomous driving revolution transforms the operating dynamics of various industries.