Based on the HXD1, consisting of two sections, each with four axles, a six-axle single-frame locomotive with two cabs was developed. The first variant is the HXD1B, which still contains a lot of technology from the technology transfer with Siemens and can also provide a continuous output of 9,600 kW with a total weight of 150 tonnes. Based on this, the HXD1C was developed, which increasingly uses purely Chinese-made equipment. It only has a continuous output of 7,200 kW, but weighs only 138 tonnes and can also be weighted down to 150 tonnes with ballast.

From 2009, 500 HXD1B were built, with 1,207 HXD1C being built at the same time. The first export order to Serbia was announced in 2016 to supply coal to the country's largest power plant, named after Nikola Tesla. The power system with 25 kV and 50 Hertz is also used in the Balkans, the locomotives were only adapted for use in Europe and are designed for a top speed of 140 km/h with 7,000 kW continuous output. In 2017, North Macedonia also ordered the HXD1C as class 443 to replace outdated electric locomotives. In Djibouti, where China has established a military and economic base and has taken over the construction of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, HXD1s are used with Chinese passenger cars.