In recent years, China’s “new trio” of exports—new energy vehicles (NEVs), lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products—have gained strong popularity overseas, becoming a shining symbol of the transformation and upgrading of Chinese manufacturing.Now, the baton is being passed to a “new new trio”: robotics, artificial intelligence, innovative pharmaceuticals, and other emerging industries that are rapidly gaining momentum and are expected to develop into new pillar industries.According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, China’s robot exports reached RMB 24.85 billion in the first half of this year, up 359% year on year.Behind these eye-catching figures lies an intriguing trend: Chinese automakers are becoming an increasingly active force in the robotics sector.A Car Is Essentially a Robot on WheelsRows of steel, flags standing tall.At Chery’s International Park in Wuhu, Anhui Province, dozens of robots stood holding flags from different countries, moving in perfect synchronization and with remarkable precision. Beside them, robotic dogs waited on the ground, their eyes glowing blue.This was the scene at the global delivery ceremony for Chery’s Mojia Robotics. Shortly afterward, vehicles loaded with robots would head directly to Wuhu Port for export to Malaysia.So, why are automakers getting into robotics?The birth of Mojia Robotics was driven by a very practical problem faced by Chery’s overseas dealerships: staffing.Employee turnover tends to fluctuate significantly with seasonal demand in overseas sales, while recruiting can be difficult. Even after employees are hired, multilingual training presents another challenge.“We developed robots primarily to address real pain points and meet specific needs in real-world scenarios,” said Zhang Guibing, Executive Vice President of Chery Automobile and General Manager of Mojia Robotics.In 2025, Mojia’s multilingual robot Moyin, capable of speaking 11 languages, officially began working at a Chery 4S dealership in Malaysia, taking on tasks including customer reception, product presentations, and standardized training.“Today’s intelligent vehicle is essentially a mobile robot,” Zhang explained.On the one hand, robots and intelligent vehicles share a high degree of technological commonality at the fundamental level, particularly in areas such as perception, planning, and control. Many technological modules, supply-chain resources, and after-sales service systems can therefore be transferred from the automotive sector to robotics.On the other hand, automakers’ extensive global business operations provide robots with unique real-world testing environments, helping accelerate product development and iteration.As competition in the automotive industry intensifies, more automakers are entering the robotics race. Leveraging the technological expertise and supply-chain advantages accumulated through vehicle manufacturing, they are accelerating their move into the field of embodied intelligence.Mojia Robotics has already launched several products, including the humanoid robot Moyin, intelligent security robots, and the four-legged robotic dog Argos. Its products and services now cover more than 60 countries and regions, with a new companion robot also set to make its debut.Meanwhile, other automakers, including BYD, XPeng, GAC Group, and Changan Automobile, are also increasing their investments in robotics.A transformation from “four wheels” to “embodied intelligence” is now underway.Going Global Means Going Deep Into Local ScenariosGoing global is no longer simply about selling hardware overseas. It is becoming a global competition encompassing technology solutions, service systems, and localized operational capabilities.In February 2025, Mojia Robotics entered Malaysia for the first time, applying its robots to automotive marketing and customer service.“It was a completely unfamiliar market. We had no mature experience in localized operations, and customers did not yet understand what value robots could create,” said Zhang Shengshan, Vice President of Chery Automobile.The journey was not easy, but the direction was clear: localization.By adapting to overseas users’ habits, languages, cultures, and business processes, the company continuously optimized its robot functions while working with local partners to build service systems.Step by step, it moved from simply “going out” to truly “going in.”Starting from Malaysia, Mojia robots have since appeared on more stages around the world.In March this year, the company showcased its robots at the 2026 Thailand International Automation and Manufacturing Exhibition, demonstrating the capabilities of Chinese robotics in industrial manufacturing and intelligent services.In July, it launched its first AI Experience Center in Vietnam, promoting the commercial application of robots in automotive marketing and customer service.The company has also obtained international certifications including EU CE certification and U.S. FCC certification, securing the necessary credentials to enter global markets.“Going global with robots is not just a competition in product capabilities. It is a competition across the entire value chain, including R&D, manufacturing, supply chains, distribution channels, delivery, services, and localized operations,” Zhang Guibing said.“Only by deeply integrating robots with local scenarios can they truly deliver greater value.”So, which scenarios are best suited for robots?Zhang identified two major areas.Public Service ScenariosThe first is public services.As large language models and public APIs continue to mature, robots’ ability to communicate through natural language is improving rapidly.“Providing consultation and guided tours in museums, science and technology museums, or public service halls will soon become a reality,” Zhang said.Specialized OperationsThe second is specialized operations.Take firefighting as an example. Smoke and extreme heat at fire scenes pose direct threats to firefighters.“Robots and robotic dogs can leverage their advantages in vision and sensors to accurately locate the source of a fire and quickly carry out firefighting operations,” Zhang explained.In environments that are particularly harsh or potentially dangerous, robots are likely to find practical applications even faster.Source: Xinhua AutoDisclaimer: Portions of the content and/or images in this article are sourced from enterprises or publicly available online resources. If any material infringes upon your copyright or other legal rights, please contact us for prompt removal.

Recently, Guangming Daily published an article highlighting the remarkable achievements of China's automotive industry.According to data recently released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), in May 2026, monthly registrations of Chinese passenger cars across 31 major European markets surpassed those of Japanese automakers for the first time. Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), described this milestone as "a symbolic turning point driven by the structural transformation brought by the new energy vehicle (NEV) revolution."Behind this milestone lies a series of impressive achievements. In 2025, China ranked No. 1 globally in three key areas: total automobile production and sales, new energy vehicle production and sales, and automobile exports. Today, China's automotive industry has firmly established itself as a global leader.For decades, the global automotive landscape was dominated by Japan, Germany, and the United States. Japan built its reputation on lean manufacturing and fuel efficiency, Germany on engineering excellence and premium brands, and the United States on production scale and market strength. While China possessed the world's largest automobile market, it lacked the technological influence to match its market size. Today, however, a profound structural transformation is underway, with the global automotive industry increasingly turning its attention to China.Why Is China Leading the Global Automotive Industry?Choosing a New PathWhile much of the world's automotive industry remained focused on conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, China began planning for the future of electric mobility decades ago.From including electric vehicles in the national "863 Program" in 2001, to issuing successive industry development plans in 2012 and 2020, and now accelerating the formulation of a development plan for intelligent connected new energy vehicles under the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan, China has remained committed to this strategy for more than 20 years.Despite technological uncertainties, significant investment requirements, and high risks, China continued to increase R&D spending, expand application scenarios, and build charging infrastructure nationwide. Today, these long-term efforts are closely aligned with the global transition toward green mobility.This year, monthly electric vehicle sales reached record highs across 37 countries and regions worldwide. In the first quarter of 2026, Chinese new energy passenger vehicles accounted for more than 60% of the global market. From Bangkok to São Paulo, from Dushanbe to Berlin, Chinese vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on city streets around the world.Overcoming Technological ChallengesChina was once a follower in automotive technology, with many core technologies dependent on foreign suppliers. Today, however, breakthroughs in key technologies have transformed the country into a global innovation hub.These advances include batteries capable of delivering driving ranges of up to 1,500 kilometers, AI-powered intelligent cockpit-driving integration systems, and advanced driver assistance solutions designed for Level 3 autonomous driving. From batteries and semiconductors to intelligent vehicle systems, China is driving innovation across the automotive value chain.Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President of Global Design at Nissan, noted that while traditional automakers typically require 36 to 55 months to design and manufacture a new vehicle, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers can complete the process in just 24 months. China's pace of innovation continues to impress the world.According to the 2026 Automotive Innovation Report released by Germany's Center of Automotive Management (CAM), BYD ranked first in the global automotive innovation rankings with 157 points, surpassing established manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. It marks the first time since the evaluation began in 2005 that a Chinese automaker has taken the top position.Building a Complete Industrial EcosystemChina has established the world's most comprehensive new energy vehicle industrial chain, spanning upstream lithium resources, battery manufacturing, semiconductor development, and complete vehicle production.According to the Global Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Report 2026, released in July, the number of Chinese companies among the world's top 100 automotive supply chain enterprises has increased to 20, surpassing the United States for the first time. This highly integrated industrial ecosystem provides a solid foundation for China's global leadership.Meanwhile, China's automotive industry is evolving from simply exporting products to exporting entire industrial ecosystems.Gotion High-Tech is investing US$1.3 billion to build a battery factory in Morocco. Chery has reached a cooperation agreement with Nissan, under which Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK will manufacture passenger vehicles for Chery beginning in 2027. SAIC Motor is investing €200 million to establish its first European vehicle manufacturing plant in Spain, a project local officials have described as "the largest industrial investment in Galicia in decades."China's automotive industry is no longer merely exporting vehicles—it is building manufacturing capabilities, supply chains, and long-term partnerships around the world, playing an increasingly important role in reshaping the future of global automotive cooperation.Driving Toward a Shared FutureAt a pivotal moment in the global energy transition, China has forged a new path toward sustainable development, overcome critical technological challenges, and achieved the historic transformation from a follower to a global leader in the automotive industry.With every mile traveled, China's automotive industry is creating new opportunities—not only for itself, but for the world.Source: Guangming DailyDisclaimer: Portions of the content and/or images in this article are sourced from enterprises or publicly available online resources. 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Global auto parts giants are pouring into the $5 trillion humanoid robot market by transferring mature mechatronics and mass production experience. Though they excel at hardware manufacturing, high-profit software and algorithm links are controlled by robot makers. Suppliers need to evolve into integrated AI-hardware solution providers to stand out in this long-term competitive track.

In May 2026, Li Xiang, founder of Li Auto, publicly stated that chassis technology “may be the last shortcoming holding back Chinese automakers from dominating the global market.”This viewpoint quickly sparked heated industry discussions. While Chinese OEMs have taken world-leading positions in intelligent cabin systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and new energy powertrains, the question arises: is chassis engineering the biggest technical barrier standing in the way of independent brands’ global expansion? The topic calls for an objective review of existing gaps, as well as a close look at profound transformations underway within the industry.  Image source: NIOObjective Gaps RemainLi Xiang’s assessment is not an isolated opinion among industry insiders. Many specialists point out that Chinese new energy vehicles have made steady strides to the global forefront in intelligent cockpits, ADAS, and electric drive systems in recent years. However, when it comes to chassis engineering — a traditional core strength of legacy luxury brands — a clear gap still exists compared with top international luxury marques such as Porsche and Ferrari.The divide first manifests in the depth of technical iteration. Most domestic independent brands still focus on semi-active suspension solutions including air suspension and CDC dampers. Industry research data shows that around 1.272 million sets of air suspension systems were fitted on passenger vehicles in China in 2025, representing a penetration rate of only 5.4%, mostly limited to models priced between RMB 200,000 and 300,000. Large-scale mass adoption of fully active suspension remains in its early stage: an estimated 130,000 sets will be installed nationwide in 2026, with projected growth to 590,000 sets by 2030.Line-controlled chassis technology presents another major challenge. Replacing mechanical and hydraulic connections with electrical signals for vehicle control, line-controlled chassis serves as a critical execution foundation for Level 3 and higher autonomous driving.2026 marks a policy turning point for the sector, as two new national standards GB 21670-2025 (braking systems) and GB 17675-2025 (steering systems) officially took effect, removing regulatory barriers for mass production of electro-mechanical brakes and steer-by-wire systems.Nevertheless, technical maturity still lags behind demand. EHB (electro-hydraulic brake) solutions dominate current brake-by-wire applications, while full transition to EMB (electro-mechanical brake) will take years. Steer-by-wire has been deployed on flagship models from new energy startups, yet its safety redundancy design and mass production consistency still face strict tests.A third dimension of chassis competition lies in building software-defined chassis capabilities. Huawei’s Tulong Intelligent Chassis Platform adopts a full-domain integrated architecture with four core features: active perception, central control, intelligent reasoning, and autonomous learning, shifting control logic from post-response to pre-emptive adjustment. BYD’s Yangwang U7 deeply integrates the Yun-Z fully active suspension with its four-motor four-wheel drive technology. The full perception-to-execution loop takes merely 5 milliseconds, enabling fully digital coordinated control of vehicle body posture across six degrees of freedom in vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions. These breakthroughs prove Chinese carmakers are rapidly catching up in intelligent chassis development.Accelerated Domestic ProgressDespite tangible gaps, China has seen rapid progress in technical accumulation and industrial collaboration across chassis technology in recent years, driven by two core development tracks: breakthroughs in localized upstream component supply chains, and systematic technical R&D at vehicle OEMs.On the supply chain front, air suspension serves as a prime example. Between January and February 2026, 221,000 sets of air suspension were installed on Chinese passenger vehicles. The top three suppliers — Tuopu Group, Konghui Technology and Baolong Technology — are all local manufacturers, together capturing over 92% of the domestic market. This stands in stark contrast to the market landscape five years ago, when foreign giants including Vibracoustic and Continental dominated the air suspension sector, highlighting remarkable achievements in domestic substitution for core chassis components.At the OEM level, innovations ranging from system integration to original architecture development are emerging at a fast pace. BYD continues to expand its Yun suspension product portfolio: the Yangwang U7 carries the Yun-Z fully active suspension, while a Denza concept sports car equipped with Yun-M features China’s first fully self-developed steer-by-wire system.Meanwhile, Huawei’s digital chassis ecosystem is accelerating mass rollout. The Zunjie S800 carries the industry’s first domestically developed intelligent digital chassis platform — the Tulong Platform with full-domain integrated architecture, delivering a minimum decision link latency under 1ms, paired with dual-chamber air suspension, continuously variable damping shock absorbers and multi-wheel steering control. The Xiangjie S9T deploys Tulong Platform 3.0, achieving an elk test speed of 83.3 km/h.The Li Auto L9 Livis comes with a fully-fledged line-controlled chassis, incorporating steer-by-wire, electro-mechanical brake-by-wire and rear-wheel steering, with continuous chassis logic upgrades supported via OTA.Image source: BYDConclusionChina’s chassis technology system is undergoing a critical shift from being constrained by foreign suppliers to full independent control, covering market share, technical reserves and supply chain influence. Though chassis engineering remains the “final technical checkpoint” for Chinese auto brands to globalize, requiring further progress to close the gap, the industry’s accelerated R&D investment and fast catch-up trajectory are clearly visible.For Chinese automotive manufacturers, the real test lies not in developing a single vehicle with class-leading chassis performance, but in establishing a sustainable, iterable full-industry chassis technology ecosystem covering the entire supply chain.Declaration: This article comes from Gasgoo. If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

Volkswagen has confirmed it will phase out all manual transmission models in the U.S. market after the 2026 model year. The brand has removed the manual gearbox option from the 2027 Jetta GLI, meaning no vehicles with manual transmissions remain in its lineup.A Volkswagen spokesperson stated in a release: "As drivers and automotive enthusiasts, we love manual transmissions too. That is why we have strived to keep this option available, knowing how much it means to a dedicated group of passionate motorists. Even so, global demand continues to shrink, and the market can no longer sustain manual gearboxes. While this is regrettable, market realities have forced us to make this difficult decision."The automaker clarified via email that the manual-equipped Jetta GLI will be discontinued following the 2026 model year. From the 2027 model year onward, this enthusiast-focused sedan will only come with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Paired with the existing 2.0-litre EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it delivers 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.The demise of the manual Jetta GLI is not an isolated case. Volkswagen already dropped manual transmission options for the Golf GTI and Golf R several years ago, reflecting a broader industry trend: fewer new vehicles are being offered with manual gearboxes.Only around 25 new car models on the market still feature manual transmissions for the 2026 model year. While affordable options such as the Honda Civic Si and Mazda Miata retain this setup, they face the same market pressures as Volkswagen.This may explain why some automakers are filing patents for simulated manual shifting systems. BMW has also spoken openly about the future of transmissions. Frank van Meel, a senior executive at BMW, commented months ago: "Manual transmissions are indeed becoming a thing of the past." If this trend continues, affordable manual gearboxes may soon disappear entirely. Once suppliers halt production, related costs will surge — a factor that may account for rumours that Ferrari plans to reintroduce manual transmissions.Dedaration: This article comes from Gasgoo. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us for removal.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its Global EV Outlook 2026. The report shows that the global electric vehicle (EV) market maintained strong momentum in 2025. EV sales hit record highs in nearly 100 countries and regions, rising 20% year-on-year to surpass 20 million units and accounting for one quarter of all new car sales worldwide. Driven by the energy crisis stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, global EV sales are projected to keep climbing in 2026, reaching 23 million units and making up nearly 30% of total new vehicle sales across the globe.Thanks to stricter EU CO₂ emission standards for automobiles, Europe emerged as the fastest-growing major market in 2025. Its EV sales surged more than 30% year-on-year, with EVs capturing a 28% market share. The U.S. market remained relatively steady, where EVs accounted for roughly 10% of new car deliveries. Emerging markets delivered particularly remarkable growth. In Southeast Asia, EV sales doubled in 2025, taking a market share of nearly 20%, with robust growth recorded in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. In Latin America, buoyed by strong performance in Brazil and Mexico, regional EV sales jumped 75%.EV penetration is set to rise further across the world in 2026. Europe is expected to see the largest gain, with EV sales up around 20%. China’s EV market will continue to expand, and its EV market share may approach 60%. EV sales in other Asia-Pacific economies are forecast to grow by over 50%, while Latin America will post a 45% increase. Data indicates that EV sales tend to grow rapidly in countries and regions facing fuel shortages or sharp hikes in oil prices.Global EV sales stood at approximately 3.9 million units in the first quarter of 2026, down 8% year-on-year. Despite the overall decline, many individual markets posted solid growth. European EV sales rose nearly 30% year-on-year in Q1, sales in the rest of Asia-Pacific jumped 80%, and Latin America saw a 75% increase. In March 2026, EV sales grew year-on-year in almost 90 countries and regions, and around 30 of them set new monthly sales records.Driven by improving cost competitiveness and tougher CO₂ and fuel efficiency regulations, the global EV fleet is projected to hit 510 million units by 2035, more than six times the figure in 2025. EVs will account for roughly 50% of all new car sales worldwide by then. In contrast, the market share of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will keep shrinking, and their sales are unlikely to return to the peak seen in 2017.Stricter carbon regulations will continue to boost EV adoption across Europe, where EVs are expected to make up over 90% of new car sales by 2035. In Southeast Asia, supported by favourable policies and increasingly competitive pricing, EVs could claim a 60% share of new vehicle sales by 2035. Vietnam stands out as the only country in the region with a sizable domestic EV manufacturing sector, where EV prices are now on par with ICE vehicles. Its EV market share is projected to exceed 80% by 2035.Wider EV adoption has delivered significant energy security benefits, especially for oil-importing nations. In 2025, the existing global EV fleet cut oil demand by around 1.7 million barrels per day. By 2030, EVs will displace an estimated 5 million barrels of oil per day globally.Electrification of road transport is advancing rapidly, led by strong growth in electric truck sales in China. Electric trucks accounted for 9% of global truck sales in 2025, with most of the growth coming from China. Sales also rose in Europe and North America. Currently, electric trucks cost two to three times more than diesel equivalents, but falling battery prices have made them cost-competitive in many markets over their full lifecycle. In Europe, the total cost of ownership for electric trucks is expected to match that of diesel trucks by 2030. By 2035, electric trucks will hold more than a 20% share of global new truck sales.International trade plays a vital role in the global EV industry. Global EV production reached nearly 22 million units in 2025, an increase of over 25% year-on-year, and around one quarter of these vehicles were traded across borders.Technological advances and artificial intelligence are reshaping the automotive industry. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are at the forefront of the software-defined vehicle trend. Falling sensor costs, more powerful automotive chips and AI integration have enabled streamlined vehicle control architectures and accelerated the development of new features. Major improvements in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and battery management have also pushed forward the commercial rollout of autonomous vehicles, which are now operating commercially in more than 20 cities, predominantly in China and the United States.Innovations in power electronics and battery cell technologies have created more efficient charging systems, cutting charging times and reducing peak load on power grids. Less than 5% of EVs currently support chargers rated at 250 kW or above, yet sales of fast-charging EVs are rising rapidly alongside the deployment of ultra-fast and megawatt-level charging infrastructure. Global electricity demand from EVs could exceed 1,500 terawatt-hours by 2035, accounting for only around 4% of the total increase in global power demand over the period. Regionally, EV adoption across road transport will push up electricity demand in Europe by more than 10% by 2035.Dedaration: This article comes from Xinhua Auto Network. 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As post-95s and Gen Z gradually become the main consumer group, the fundamental rules of competition in the automotive industry have undergone drastic changes. Whether automakers sticking to fuel vehicles or new energy vehicle startups racing ahead in the EV track must face a plain truth: young people no longer view cars merely as basic means of transportation. Instead, their purchasing decisions integrate lifestyle pursuits, value recognition and immersive technological experiences. By catering to younger consumers, optimizing product supplies and service models, brands can seize the youth market and grasp the core driver of future industrial growth.A New Consumption Ethic Blending Rationality and IndividualityTo win over young buyers, brands first need to understand them thoroughly. Surveys show that young and middle-aged consumers aged 26 to 45 account for over 60 percent of new energy vehicle buyers, with the proportion of post-95s and Gen Z rising steadily. Rational spending defines their consumption mindset. More than 70 percent of respondents cap their car budget at 1 to 1.5 times their annual income, with most choosing vehicles priced between 50,000 and 250,000 yuan, marking an end to blind spending on brand premiums. Notably, over 70 percent call for greater price transparency in after-sales services, a factor that heavily influences their final purchase choices.Meanwhile, individuality and scenario-based practicality are equally vital. Youthful aesthetic preference reflects their unique personalities, making frameless doors, mecha-style designs and trendy customized car paints highly popular. Yet stylish appearances must align with real-life usage scenarios. Camping enthusiasts prioritize external power supply functions, office workers favor spacious trunks, and social-oriented users value personalized modification potential. Such diverse demands have pushed carmakers toward scenario-oriented innovation. From budget-friendly compact EVs with ultra-low daily maintenance costs to camping-specialized vehicles supporting coffee machines and gaming devices, brands are precisely catering to personalized youthful needs.2025 is hailed as the starting year of AI integration in automobiles, making intelligent connectivity a standard requirement for young car buyers. High-end configurations such as 8295 chips and lidar sensors are now available in vehicles priced under 150,000 yuan. Nevertheless, young consumers show a clear tendency: they pay close attention to intelligent functions but are reluctant to pay extra for them. Statistics indicate that over half expect premium smart experiences, while only 10 percent are willing to pay a premium for intelligent upgrades. As one young car buyer put it, consumers need user-oriented practical smart functions rather than piled-up unnecessary hardware."Young consumers neither blindly chase brand premiums nor compromise on essential functions," commented Ji Xuehong, director of the Automotive Industry Innovation Research Center at North China University of Technology. "They seek well-priced vehicles within their budget, up-to-standard intelligent features and emotional resonance, all of which are indispensable."Shifting from Trend Chasing to Demand CreationCars are durable goods with a service life of 5 to 8 years, whose iteration speed can hardly keep pace with fast-changing youth trends. The movie marketing campaign of Pegasus 3 during the 2026 Spring Festival serves as a typical example. Nearly ten automakers placed product placements in the film. After its release, search volume for the 2026 Audi A3 surged by 230% month-on-month and in-store visits rose by 150%; search volume for Lynk & Co jumped by 180% and its Z-series orders increased by 90%; test drive reservations for Avatr grew by 120%, forming a complete business chain from content exposure to offline sales conversion. In contrast, some brands failed to stand out and became plain background elements in the film. This phenomenon reveals the widespread anxiety among automakers: brands fear being forgotten without following trends, yet blind trend-chasing easily leads to homogeneous competition.The smarter strategy is to shift from passive trend-following to active demand creation. Long-term low-interest payment plans launched by Tesla and Xiaomi as well as purchase tax subsidies offered by NIO perfectly fit young people’s deferred consumption habits. In terms of product development, modular intelligent driving upgrades have become a breakthrough solution. Many new energy vehicle brands continuously roll out new functions via OTA updates, enabling existing car owners to enjoy technological upgrades and solving core pain points of young users."Rapidly changing trends are never scary; what truly matters is solid technological strength and in-depth user insight," said a senior manager from a new energy vehicle dealership in Beijing. "We found young buyers value charging convenience far more than driving range. Hence we built a 15-minute charging network near shopping malls combined with online reservation systems, lifting offline charging conversion rates by 40%." This model featuring modular functions and scenario-based services prevents products from becoming outdated and keeps up with market trends sustainably.Ways to Keep Durable Goods TimelessGiven the durable nature of automobiles, blindly catering to short-term fads will only lead to fleeting market popularity. To retain young consumers, brands need to combine core reliable product strengths with trendy upgradable designs. Based on stable product quality, replaceable and upgradeable modules allow vehicles to stay fashionable for years.Popular intelligent equalization and high-standard basic configurations are keys to maintaining vehicle residual value. Young consumers reject flashy useless configurations but set high standards for core practical functions. Currently, vehicles priced at around 100,000 yuan are commonly equipped with large central control screens and intelligent voice assistants; over 80% of cars priced between 150,000 and 200,000 yuan are fitted with multi-screen linkage and mobile phone interconnection systems, making smart cockpits standard equipment. It proves that investment in basic intelligent layouts is essential for long-term product value retention rather than temporary trend investment.Hardware expandability and software upgradability via modular design are effective ways to adapt to market changes. Core automotive hardware remains stable in the long run, while smart cockpits and driving assistance systems can be flexibly updated.Hong Tao, vice chairman of China Consumer Economics Society and researcher at Beijing Technology and Business University, pointed out that automakers should transform from mere product sellers to comprehensive travel service providers, sustaining product attractiveness through continuous service optimization.In China’s 2026 automotive market, youthful consumer preferences are reshaping the whole industry. To stay competitive, automakers must fully understand young people’s consumption logic, establish long-term consumer trust via reasonable pricing strategies, emotional connection, forward-looking technological layout and ongoing service empowerment.Source: China Automotive NewsDeclaration: This article comes from China Automotive News. If copyright issues are involved, please contact us to delete.

A historic milestone as BYD becomes the first Chinese automaker to top the global automotive innovation ranking released by CAM in 2026.

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the new batch of "Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Enterprises and Product Announcement" product listing. Under the brand of BYD, a new automotive brand, Linghui, has been added. In this product listing, the Linghui brand has a total of 4 new vehicles. Among them, 3 are pure electric sedans, including Linghui e5, Linghui e7, and Linghui e9; 1 is a plug-in hybrid MPV, namely Linghui M9. A reporter from First Finance News learned that the trademark of Lingyun was registered in 2010. According to the plan, the Lingyun brand mainly targets the large-scale procurement needs of the B-end market. This brand integrates the e-series new energy vehicles of the original corporate division of BYD, and has an independent channel system. The purpose of establishing the Lingyun brand is to distinguish the models targeting the B-end market from those targeting the C-end market, aiming to promote BYD's high-end strategy. In 2025, BYD's total annual sales exceeded 4.6 million units, with a year-on-year growth of 7.73%. Among them, the sales of the Dragon Network and Ocean Network, which target the mainstream market, were approximately 3.4485 million units, while the sales of the high-end brand Tang Dynasty were about 180,000 units. In other words, high-end positioning remains the key focus that BYD needs to overcome. Coincidentally, last year, GAC Auto's subsidiary GAC Aion also clearly distinguished between the B-end market and the C-end market. In order to improve the existing public perception of Aion as a ride-hailing brand, GAC Aion announced in 2025 that it would launch a dedicated brand for the B-end market. This move is precisely to completely separate the B-end and C-end markets, and to launch different exclusive models for different markets, and the channels and operations for the B-end and C-end will also be separated. By 2025, the number of domestic car brands will have exceeded 100. Amid intense competition in the automotive market, domestic automakers are witnessing a trend of resource integration, concentrating their efforts on cost reduction and efficiency improvement; at the same time, they are accelerating the process of upgrading to high-end products in order to seize high-profit markets for survival. This includes new emerging car brands such as Yi Jing (co-founded by Dongfeng Group and Huawei) and Qi Jing (co-founded by Guangzhou Automobile Group and Huawei), which all have a high-end positioning. The latest research report from CITIC Securities points out that one of the main trends in the automotive market in 2026 will be the acceleration of the high-endization of domestic brands. Although there will be abundant supply across various price ranges in 2026, the domestic market competition will still be intense. However, the leading high-end automakers will still be able to achieve relatively high marginal profits.

In the beginning of 2026, a live-streaming event featuring the disassembly of a car lasting for over four hours became the focus of industry discussions. The engineers of Xiaomi Motors disassembled a standard version of the Xiaomi YU7 that was launched in December 2025 on-site. They removed all the components and spread them out on the ground, presenting the design details and technical logic to the public.This live-streaming event, with the intention of "proving the technology", has already transcended the level of brand endorsement of the enterprise and is more like an industry slice, reflecting the profound changes in the current automotive component industry in three dimensions: safety design, technological autonomy, and supply chain reconfiguration.The concept of safety redundancy has become an industry consensus, and the design of components has entered the era of "full-scenario protection". In this live broadcast, details such as oversized door hinges, dual mechanical pull wire door handles, and the "wheel loss and vehicle protection" collision strategy are essentially the concrete manifestations of component safety redundancy design. Recently, the national standard for the line control steering system in GB17675-2025 "Basic Requirements for Automotive Steering Systems" has been officially approved for release by the National Standardization Management Committee and will come into effect on July 1, 2026. The standard clearly requires that the line control steering system must reach the highest level of automotive functional safety (ASIL D), meaning that the system must achieve comprehensive "dual redundancy" in dual power supplies, dual communications, dual controllers, and even dual execution paths to ensure that any single fault will not lead to the loss of steering function.Component manufacturers are shifting from "performance compliance" to "full lifecycle safety coverage". They not only need to cope with conventional driving scenarios but also need to solve safety challenges in extreme conditions through technological means such as structural innovation and multiple redundant backups. This transformation drives component design to move from optimizing individual components to the coordinated layout of a vehicle-level safety system, and forces upstream materials, manufacturing processes, and other links to upgrade simultaneously.The acceleration of core technology autonomy has led to a breakthrough. Mastering the discourse power in the industry has become the key to breaking through. The self-developed motors and silicon carbide chips disclosed during the live broadcast are the core components. Behind them lies the difficult leap of China's automotive parts industry from "following technology" to "leading innovation". In the era of traditional fuel vehicles, the core technologies of engine and transmission components were long controlled by enterprises from Europe, America, and Japan. Domestic enterprises mostly participated in the industrial chain as "processing and supporting" roles, with meager profits and lacking bargaining power.However, in the era of intelligent electrification, this pattern is being overturned: Great Wall Automobile spent nearly 10 years in research and development, achieving 90% or more of the self-research and development of components for the 4.0T V8 engine, breaking through the "technical hard nut" of large-displacement engines; Geely's Thunder God Hybrid engine, through independent innovation, has increased the thermal efficiency to the advanced global level of 47.26%, completely摆脱ing dependence on foreign technology; SAIC-GM-Wuling has even achieved 100% domestic chip switching for controllers in the production and installation of controllers， with a cumulative installation of over 3 million sets， breaking the monopoly of foreign companies in the core controller field. This breakthrough in autonomy not only upgrades component enterprises from "secondary roles in the industrial chain" to "technology exporters"， but also redefines the profit distribution pattern of the industrial chain - self-research and development of core components can help vehicle enterprises increase their gross profit margin by 8-10 percentage points， injecting core power into the high-quality development of the industry.From the perspective of the overall industry development, 2026 will be the "transformational year" for the automotive parts industry. The tightening of safety standards, the acceleration of technological autonomy, and the localization of supply chains - these three trends interweave with each other, driving the industry to shift from scale expansion to high-quality development. And this year's opening-day car dismantling live broadcast is precisely a vivid illustration of this transformation - when the "inner quality" of parts becomes the "outer appearance" of industry competition, the development logic of the entire industry is returning to the essence of technological innovation and quality improvement, providing core support for China's automotive industry to evolve from "large" to "strong".