Chinese NEV manufacturers drive competition, push boundaries of global market

Auto China 2024 is in the fast lane, showcasing the latest advancements and innovations in the automotive industry.

Among the most captivating exhibits are the new offerings in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector, highlighting China's dedication to sustainable transportation solutions.

This year's Auto China, also known as the Beijing Auto Show, serves as a testament to China's leading position in the NEV market. With a strong focus on NEVs, Chinese carmakers are driving competition and pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can offer.

"Our vehicle boasts core technologies [that are globally leading], featuring a tri-motor system. Additionally, it incorporates our proprietary technology of independent rear-wheel steering. With the integration of our smart electrification platform, our vehicle has become extremely versatile," said Zhang Changjiang, general manager of Denza.

"There's a multitude of paths to explore new energy vehicles, with ongoing technological iterations in both battery swapping and quick charging technologies. We're actively promoting both avenues and we hope to gain popularity among customers," said Gu Huinan, general manager of GAC Aion New Energy Automobile.

Behind the glitz and glamor of the Beijing Auto Show lies a deeper narrative of the Chinese NEV market's pioneering trajectory.

"First of all, the China market is very competitive, very fast, very innovation-oriented and very technology-driven. These are my observations. Technology is driving new user experience, but they look into new energy vehicles, it's driving efficiency," said Joachim Fetzer, CTO of Marelli Group.

Recognizing the immense demand in NEV market, global industry players are expanding their presence to seize growth opportunities.

"What we are doing right now, actually, we are expanding our footprint here because the demand is here and we have to catch the market growth in China. China started expanding to export overseas, so the capacity increases as the demands increase," said Simon Yang, president of Aptiv China and Asia Pacific.

Chinese NEV manufacturers drive competition, push boundaries of global market

A Chinese Navy fleet will visit Cambodia and Timor-Leste from the first half of May to mid-June, the Ministry of National Defense has said.

The fleet comprises Chinese naval training ship Qijiguang and amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan, which set sail from ports in Dalian City of northeast China's Liaoning Province on May 10.

The visits are part of the Chinese Navy's schedule for a training program in the far seas, during which naval cadets from Cambodia and other countries will join their Chinese peers to carry out relevant exercises.

The mission aims to enhance the naval cadets' capabilities of practical operation and strengthen the Chinese Navy's pragmatic cooperation and mutual trust with the navies of Cambodia and Timor-Leste, the ministry said.

"This is my third time to participate in a naval fleet to the far seas. As a graduate-to-be who is about to embark on missions for safeguarding our country's territorial waters, I expect this journey to lay a solid foundation for my first job," said Tian Qi, a Chinese naval cadet, in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) as the warships set sail.

"Through this training, we aim to fully tap the far seas' potential for our training programs and hold teaching sessions that simulate real combat to boost the cadets' job capabilities as much as possible. Meanwhile, we will carry out cultural exchange activities to enhance mutual trust and friendships with the destination countries, so that our training vessel can make its contribution to nurturing naval talent and conducting maritime diplomacy," said Feng Liang, captain of the Qijiguang ship.

Chinese navy vessels to visit Cambodia, Timor-Leste