China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Global automotive forum focuses on expansion in overseas market
China’s auto industry maintains great potential in expanding overseas development as the sector sees progress in continued technological innovation, said officials and business insiders.
Long Yongtu, chairman of the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation, told a recent forum in Wuhan, Hubei province, that China has become the largest automotive production base and consumer market in the world, and development of the domestic automotive industry “has fully demonstrated that industrial development cannot be achieved in isolation and success can only be attained in an open and collaborative environment”.
With a theme focused on intelligently reconnecting the world, the 2024 Sino-International Entrepreneurs Auto Valley Forum was held in late April in the Wuhan Economic and Technological Development Zone, gathering business representatives and experts in the automotive industry to explore new opportunities for collaboration between the Chinese and foreign automotive industries.
“The biggest advantage of the Wuhan economic and technological development zone lies in its batch of enterprises producing new energy vehicles, and their brands have already entered Europe and other parts of the world. Europe is the most developed automobile market in the world, and the fact that our cars can enter the European market is a remarkable achievement,” Long said. “We should continue to improve our technology to make it more refined and competitive in any situation.”
Xavier Horent, president of Mobilians, said: “The cooperation between China and France, especially among manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and repair shops, is very prosperous. This demonstrates the vitality and dynamism of the China-France relationship. The professional and technical influence of China and France is profound. Through the combination of French and Chinese technologies, we can jointly tackle the challenges of even climate change and environmental protection.”
Marc Mortureux, president of La Plateforme Automobile, added: “Wuhan is a very unique place, especially considering the significant importance the automotive industry holds for France. It is, in fact, the birthplace of our entire (auto) industry’s development in China. Building factories in China, especially in Wuhan, is of utmost importance to us. Wuhan is a critical hub, and we have had a long history of cooperation. This demonstrates our commitment to continuing and further strengthening this cooperation.”
In 2023, China became the world’s largest automobile exporter, with over 30 million vehicles produced and sold. Dongfeng Group, headquartered in Wuhan, played a significant role in the growth of the country’s automotive industry.
“The automobile industry is deeply globalized, enabling Chinese automobiles to enter the global market and open up new areas for deep cooperation between domestic and foreign automobile industry chains and supply chains,” said You Zheng, deputy general manager of Dongfeng Group. “Dongfeng Motor is deeply rooted in China Auto Valley and working closely with the development zone to jointly promote highlevel opening-up and cooperation, cultivate the new frontier of international development and upgrade the automotive industry.”
According to You, brands under Dongfeng Motor Group have accelerated their overseas expansion over the past few years. Its NEV marque Voyah has become the fastest-growing domestic high-end NEV brand in several international markets, including successful entry into Norway, Denmark and Italy.
In recent years, the development zone has leveraged export opportunities to expand into international markets. To improve international economic cooperation, the zone has partnered with industry think tank China EV100 to create the Yangtze River automotive supply chain platform.
The platform will provide a supply chain solution, enhance industry and value chains, and benefit both domestic and foreign automotive enterprises, according to local officials.