Kion Group is the world's second largest industrial forklift manufacturer and China's largest foreign forklift manufacturer. Kion Group operates in more than 100 countries. On August 31, 2012, Weichai signed a formal strategic alliance agreement with Kion Group to separate Linde Hydraulics and as a result, purchased shares of Kion. A year later, Kion Group got listed successfully, and Weichai increased its stake to 30%, becoming the largest shareholder.