International automakers at the ongoing 2024 Beijing auto show expressed the desire to strengthen their cooperation with China with the hope to better tap into the vast opportunities in the Chinese market.
The 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, China's largest auto show, kicked off in China's capital on Thursday and will last until May 4.
Many multinational automobile enterprises are taking this opportunity to showcase their latest products and unveil new strategies for new energy vehicles (NEVs), aiming to forge alliances with Chinese companies and infuse distinct Chinese elements to attract the attention of local customers.
"Basic understanding for Chinese culture and Chinese customers is very important for us, and this is what Chinese customers are looking for," said Andreas Mindt, head of Volkswagen Design, who has brought a new electric concept car infused with Chinese "DNA" to the auto show.
In addition to German brands, established multinational automobile enterprises from the United States, Japan and other countries are also actively expanding their investment and cooperation in China, seeking to deepen their integration with China's NEV industry, with a goal of fostering technological innovation and advancing industrial upgrading together.
"We embrace new energy with open arms. Whether it's in terms of hybrid technology, range-extending innovations, or pure electric advancements, we will continue to deliver better products to Chinese consumers," said Wu Shengbo, president and CEO of Ford Motor China Ltd.
According to executives from multinational vehicle manufactures at the auto show, China's NEV industry will significantly contribute to the transformation of the global auto industry. The transformative impact will reverberate in terms of exporting to other countries or establishing overseas factories for these companies.
Int'l automakers to explore Chinese market with deeper cooperation
China's remarkable economic development has not only transformed the country itself but also profoundly impacted the global economy, opening vast potential for investment cooperation between China and France, as well as between China and the European Union, according to Pascal Lamy, former director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Over 80 percent of French respondents to a new poll believe China is a great and influential country, and 70.3 percent regard China as a successful country, according to a survey of 1,513 French respondents conducted by China Media Group, China Global Television Network (CGTN) and Renmin University of China ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France.
The French respondents to the survey praised the achievements of China's high-quality economic development and high-level opening up.
Speaking during an interview with CGTN on Monday, Lamy expressed his admiration for China's economic success.
"We French believe that China is a big success. This is what the numbers say, looking at what happened, overall, 50 or 60 years. I'm not surprised if the French believe that China is a very influential country, believing otherwise would be blind to the reality. China is one of the major economic powers in the world of today; and whether the Chinese economy is doing well or less well, matters a lot for the rest of the world. It was not the case 60 years ago. It is the case now, given how important China has become," said Lamy.
Lamy then noted the potential for further collaboration, highlighting the opportunities for French and European investments in China and vice versa.
"Now, we believe, there is room for China opening up more. There is more room for French and European investments in China. And there is more room for Chinese investments in France and in Europe. No doubt about that, especially in areas where Europe has a competitive edge in China, and where China has a competitive edge in Europe and in France, and notably in the area of green tech," he said.
Former WTO chief praises China's transformative economic impact on global development
