Multiple multinational automakers launched new products specifically for the Chinese market at the 2025 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition opened on Friday, driven by substantial demand in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector.
They are also accelerating localization through cooperation with Chinese companies in the new energy field.
German auto company Audi, following last year's debut of a new energy concept car at the international automobile exhibition in Guangzhou, has premiered a new SUV concept vehicle this year.
Its design aligns with China's high-quality development philosophy for NEVs, featuring an 800-volt high-voltage system and over 700 kilometers of range.
Moreover, accelerating localization through cooperation in China represents a new strategic direction for this multinational automaker.
"China is the most important market for Audi worldwide. Not only that, we also have here the longest story. We came almost 40 years ago to China's first premium manufacturer, and localized our products in China. Now China is also the biggest growing market in terms of NEVs, the one which is transforming the fastest than anyone else and also the more innovative," said Fermin Soneira, CEO of Audi and SAIC Cooperation Project.
According to a representative from U.S. automaker Ford, the primary reason multinational automakers are accelerating cooperation with China in the NEV sector is China's robust and comprehensive NEV industrial chain.
"China has been developing its entire NEV industrial chain for at least 15 to 20 years. The development of China's NEV industrial chain is excellent, and the recent explosive growth of NEV brands across the market actually represents a process of long-term accumulation leading to success," said Wu Shengbo, President and CEO of Ford China.
German carmaker Mercedes-Benz introduced its first pure electric model featuring F1-inspired electric drive technology, representing a breakthrough in the industry.
"We describe this as the dual engine, the powerhouse of our research and development center in Beijing and in Shanghai, working hand in hand. And because of this very strong supply chain and partner companies, our friends' circle, we are very dedicated to further increasing the degree of localization," said Oliver Thone, a board member of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
The auto show will run through Nov 30. Nearly 100 debut models and more than 1,000 vehicles are on display. Of these, 629 are NEVs, accounting for over 60 percent of the total.
Multinational automakers accelerate NEV cooperation with partners in China
Multinational automakers accelerate NEV cooperation with partners in China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
