The 2026 TEDA Automotive Forum recently convened in Tianjin, with a keynote from Gong Jinfeng, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and general manager of the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC). He emphasized that China’s auto industry is rapidly advancing towards high-quality development, even amidst changing global dynamics and geopolitical tensions. To enhance competitiveness in the smart connected new energy vehicle sector, the industry must prioritize innovation, cross-sector collaboration, quality, and open cooperation.
Key highlights from Gong’s address included:
– From January to August 2026, China sold over 10.65 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), achieving a market penetration rate of 52.4%. The country remains the world’s largest NEV market, with domestic sales of NEV passenger vehicles exceeding 50% of global sales.
– The penetration rate for passenger cars with L2-level driver assistance systems reached 70.5%, and L3 autonomous driving models are now operational in designated areas.
– Technological advancements include semi-solid-state batteries exceeding 400 Wh/kg in energy density and ongoing R&D for all-solid-state batteries approaching 500 Wh/kg. The localization of high-compute automotive-grade chips and operating systems is also progressing rapidly.
– Over the first seven months of 2026, China’s automobile exports surged 54% year-on-year, totaling 6.41 million units, with a goal to surpass 10 million for the year.
Gong’s recommendations for the future include:
1. Focusing on key areas like powertrain systems and smart connectivity, urging breakthroughs in automotive-grade chips and industrial software.
2. Enhancing product quality through technological innovation and deeper integration with sectors like AI and intelligence.
3. Strengthening corporate accountability for quality and steering the industry towards upgrades rather than price wars.
4. Engaging in global automotive governance and standard-setting to enhance China’s influence in shaping industry norms.
These insights underscore China’s strategic positioning in the global automotive landscape, spotlighting its commitment to quality and collaboration.
