CITIC Dicastal is the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminium wheels. Its products include aluminium wheels and lightweight aluminium castings for powertrains, chassis and body systems for the automotive industry. The annual production capacity for aluminium wheels is approximately 100 million units, while the annual capacity for aluminium castings exceeds 210,000 tonnes. CITIC Dicastal operates 30 major manufacturing facilities across China, the Americas, Europe and Africa.
In 2025, CITIC Dicastal effectively navigated multiple challenges, including intensified industry competition, fluctuating trade tariffs, and global operations. It optimised its capacity layout and accelerated technological innovation. CITIC Dicastal achieved a sales volume of 95.17 million units for wheels, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.7%, and 173,000 tonnes for aluminium castings, up 13% year on year. 
Cultivating lightweight business growth drivers. LEAF wheels achieved both lower weight and better performance, setting a benchmark for green high-end manufacturing. The first flying-car OEM order project completed prototype production and customer assembly, while the aluminium-alloy e-drive housing project made breakthroughs in product development and 3D-printing tests, cutting weight by 30% to 50% and enhancing the endurance and manoeuvrability of low-altitude aircraft. CITIC Dicastal also developed efficient lightweight solutions for humanoid robot frames and achieved small-batch supply of China’s first vacuum high-pressure die-cast leg skeletal components for humanoid robots.
Iterative upgrading of lightweight technologies. CITIC Dicastal improved its comprehensive “materials–process– design” integrated technological system and implemented a new generation of low-cost, lightweight forming technologies. This solidified the manufacturing capabilities for aluminium alloy lightweight materials and components, achieving full-process autonomy and control from material research to mass production. With the low-altitude economy as the focus, CITIC Dicastal strengthened its R&D layout across three sectors: aluminiummagnesium alloys, carbon fibre and polymers. Breakthroughs were made in achieving extreme lightweighting for robotic skeletons and surface skins, accelerating the transition of advanced lightweight materials from technological reserves to engineering applications.
Continuous improvement of overseas production layout. CITIC Dicastal completed Africa’s first Global Lighthouse, its third such project in CITIC Group. Construction of the aluminium castings production base in Mexico accelerated, with Phase II designed for an annual capacity of 2.5 million aluminium castings. The first thermal processing unit rolled off the production line in December 2025, with full-line operations expected in 2026.
Lightweight framework skeleton for humanoid robots
Cultivating lightweight business growth drivers. LEAF wheels achieved both lower weight and better performance, setting a benchmark for green high-end manufacturing. The first flying-car OEM order project completed prototype production and customer assembly, while the aluminium-alloy e-drive housing project made breakthroughs in product development and 3D-printing tests, cutting weight by 30% to 50% and enhancing the endurance and manoeuvrability of low-altitude aircraft. CITIC Dicastal also developed efficient lightweight solutions for humanoid robot frames and achieved small-batch supply of China’s first vacuum high-pressure die-cast leg skeletal components for humanoid robots.
Iterative upgrading of lightweight technologies. CITIC Dicastal improved its comprehensive “materials–process– design” integrated technological system and implemented a new generation of low-cost, lightweight forming technologies. This solidified the manufacturing capabilities for aluminium alloy lightweight materials and components, achieving full-process autonomy and control from material research to mass production. With the low-altitude economy as the focus, CITIC Dicastal strengthened its R&D layout across three sectors: aluminiummagnesium alloys, carbon fibre and polymers. Breakthroughs were made in achieving extreme lightweighting for robotic skeletons and surface skins, accelerating the transition of advanced lightweight materials from technological reserves to engineering applications.
Acceleration of integrated die-casting industrialisation. The Southern Jinhua manufacturing base was completed, focusing on ultra-large die-casting, high automation and intelligent control, which significantly improved production efficiency and product stability. Leveraging leading technical configurations and reliable production capacity, CITIC Dicastal secured mass production orders from new energy vehicle customers, laying a solid foundation for product diversification.
In 2025, CITIC Dicastal secured 1 national and 3 provincial research approvals, completed 3 internationally leading achievements, and won 17 technology awards in materials, design, processes and equipment.
The Morocco factory employs AIGC technology for casting inspection
Continuous improvement of overseas production layout. CITIC Dicastal completed Africa’s first Global Lighthouse, its third such project in CITIC Group. Construction of the aluminium castings production base in Mexico accelerated, with Phase II designed for an annual capacity of 2.5 million aluminium castings. The first thermal processing unit rolled off the production line in December 2025, with full-line operations expected in 2026.