Hitachi Elevator China has completed more than 18,000 elevator renovation projects as China accelerates the renewal of ageing residential lift infrastructure, backed by billions of yuan in government funding.
Hitachi Elevator is expanding its presence in China’s rapidly growing elevator modernisation market, with its renovation business now covering more than 300 cities nationwide.
Hitachi Elevator (China) Co. has completed more than 18,000 elevator renovation projects, positioning modernisation as an increasingly important part of its operations as China undertakes a large-scale programme to upgrade ageing residential infrastructure. citeturn738074search0turn738074search9
The expansion comes as China intensifies its urban renewal and equipment replacement initiatives. During 2026, more than RMB30.9 billion ($4.6 billion) in super-long-term special government bond funding has been allocated to support the renovation or replacement of approximately 197,000 older residential elevators, according to figures cited from China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. citeturn738074search0
Modernisation becomes a major opportunity
China has one of the world’s largest installed elevator bases, and the ageing of equipment in older residential communities is creating substantial demand for replacement, modernisation and safety upgrades.
Hitachi has been building its renovation network to address this opportunity. Earlier in 2026, the company said it had established elevator renewal experience centres in nearly 70 Chinese cities, while providing installation solutions for existing residential buildings across 324 cities and comprehensive renovation solutions for projects in 322 cities. citeturn738074search9
The company has also developed technical approaches intended to address challenges associated with replacing equipment in existing buildings, where shaft dimensions, machine rooms and other structural conditions can restrict conventional installations. Its solutions include machine-room-less renovation products and other configurations designed specifically for older properties. citeturn738074search9
Government support could further accelerate this segment. Policies promoting urban renewal and large-scale equipment replacement have increasingly brought ageing elevators into the infrastructure-upgrade programme, helping residential communities overcome some of the financial barriers associated with major lift replacements.
Tan Xianguang, General Manager of the Quality Assurance Department at Hitachi Elevator China, indicated that the opportunity extends beyond replacing ageing machinery, with elevator renovation increasingly connected to improving the overall quality and safety of residential environments. citeturn738074search0
Hitachi brings AI and autonomous logistics into elevator manufacturing
Alongside its modernisation expansion, Hitachi Elevator is upgrading its manufacturing operations in Guangzhou with greater use of artificial intelligence, automation and digital production management.
At the company’s Dashi factory in Guangzhou, materials are being transported using 5G-connected Level 4 autonomous unmanned towing vehicles. Hitachi is also testing the Walker S2 humanoid robot for collaborative manufacturing processes. citeturn738074search0
Digital controls are being applied across the production process to identify potential quality issues earlier and improve consistency during large-scale manufacturing.
The development reflects Hitachi’s broader push towards Physical AI, where artificial intelligence is increasingly combined with robotics, operational technology and industrial equipment. Hitachi has separately been developing Physical AI technologies capable of learning from manufacturing environments and adapting operations, while the group is expanding AI-based autonomous systems across manufacturing and social infrastructure businesses. citeturn738074search4turn738074search2
Guangzhou strengthens its elevator manufacturing position
The manufacturing upgrades are particularly significant given Guangzhou’s role in China’s elevator supply chain.
The city produced around 145,000 elevators, escalators and lifts in 2025, representing growth of 13.8% year-on-year and approximately 10.4% of China’s total elevator production, according to the China Daily report. citeturn738074search0
This combination of a large manufacturing base and a rapidly expanding modernisation market is creating a significant shift in China’s vertical transportation industry.
For manufacturers such as Hitachi, the opportunity is increasingly moving beyond supplying elevators for new buildings. Renovation, digital monitoring, intelligent manufacturing and lifecycle improvement of existing equipment are becoming important growth areas as China’s vast installed elevator base matures.
With more than 18,000 renovation projects already completed and operations extending across more than 300 cities, Hitachi Elevator is positioning itself to participate in one of the largest elevator renewal programmes currently underway globally.
Source: China Daily / Invest in China, 26 August 2026; Hitachi Elevator China; Hitachi Ltd.