WCIFIT Witnesses Changes: A Car's Journey of Green and Intelligent Upgrades

 

Nearly all exhibited models have switched to new energy, their smart features keep upgrading, and domestic brands are edging upmarket... On May 19, at the ongoing 5th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT), new energy vehicles, which boast both a tech-forward vibe and sleek aesthetics, have emerged as the standout attractions of the event.

Reporters have learned that the iterative advancement of products from participating automakers across successive editions of WCIFIT mirrors the transformation of China's automotive industry in recent years toward green energy, smart technology, and higher-end positioning.

     

In the Auto & Motorcycle Exhibition Hall of WCIFIT, new energy vehicles stand in an orderly line. From domestic brands to joint ventures, and from traditional automakers to new automotive players, major manufacturers are showcasing their new energy vehicles to perfection.

Yan Tianxiao, a Changan Automobile staff member with years of exhibition experience, told reporters: "Our new energy products have grown strongly. While we still showcased a fuel sedan last year, all our exhibits this time are new energy vehicles."

The shifts in exhibited products also track the growth trajectory of domestic brand automakers.

"We initially had no capacity to produce automobiles, only displaying basic motorcycle parts like shock absorbers," Zhang Xingyan, General Manager of the Overseas Business Division at Seres Group, told reporters. The company later shifted to the automotive sector and has been deepening its efforts ever since. Its exhibits at WCIFIT have evolved from commercial vehicles to passenger cars, and in recent years, further from fuel-powered vehicles to new energy ones, and from traditional cars to smart vehicles. This represents a process of annual upgrades and iterations.

"In the past, we showcased low-end passenger cars priced at around RMB30,000; today, the new models on display are priced between RMB200,000 and RMB300,000," Zhang Xingyan stated. Driven by sustained improvements in product competitiveness, Seres' overseas new energy vehicle sales nearly tripled in 2022.

     

Upgraded exhibits from automakers and the booming production and sales of new energy vehicles reflect the "breakneck growth spurt" of China's new energy vehicle industry in recent years. Industry insiders observe that in the era of gasoline-powered vehicles, China played the role of a catch-up in the automotive sector. In the "new competitive arena" of intelligent connected new energy vehicles, China's automotive market has brought its scale effect into full play. With continuous advancements in core technologies like the "three electrical systems" (battery, motor and electronic control), the country has gained a first-mover advantage in this shift of tracks, achieving a "simultaneous growth in both volume and price" in terms of market share and product pricing.

MIIT data shows China's new energy vehicle production and sales have led the world for eight straight years. In the first four months of this year, cumulative production and sales of new energy vehicles stood at 2.29 million and 2.22 million units respectively, both up 42.8% year-on-year, with their market share reaching 27%. In recent years, domestic brands have stood out notably, with their share of the electric vehicle market surpassing 80% in 2022.

"Previously, joint-venture auto brands were more prevalent and held a larger share at the WCIFIT venues; now, the entire exhibition space is almost entirely domestic cars," a senior executive from an automaker stated, noting that consumers today are more inclined to choose domestic-brand new energy vehicles.

Shift to Green, Step Up to High-End, Speed Up Intelligence. In recent years, the intelligent features of China's vehicles have steadily advanced, with domestic brands leading the industry in intelligent driving technology.

At this edition of the exhibition, an electric vehicle from AVATR Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. catches the eye: when you open the door, and the seat and rearview mirror will automatically adjust to the driver's needs; activate the autonomous driving system, and the vehicle automatically starts, accelerates, and changes lanes, meeting basic urban driving needs while delivering an intelligent driving experience approaching Level 3. A light tap is all it takes to sync all phone settings to the smart cockpit...

There are plenty more such intelligent models. Among the many such intelligent models at the exhibition, Seres has brought an intelligent driving electric vehicle whose autonomous driving capabilities are equally remarkable: it achieves high-speed and urban intelligent driving without relying on HD maps, with the system maintaining steady control of direction and nimbly avoiding obstacles even in traffic congestion.

Data shows that in the first half of 2022, the penetration rate of L2-level ADAS-equipped passenger vehicles in China's new car market hit 30%. Assessment results released by China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) in April indicate that among new models tested over the past two years, 71% of domestic-brand products achieved high scores in intelligent performance evaluations, significantly outperforming joint-venture brands.

"In the past, a car's merit was measured largely by its mechanical quality; now, however, the focus has shifted to the strength of intelligent features, such as advanced driver assistance, in-vehicle infotainment, and voice interaction. In short, I believe Chinese automotive brands have a stronger edge than their foreign counterparts and are gaining growing favor." Mr. Wang, an auto enthusiast visiting to experience the vehicles, remarked at the WCIFIT. (Reporters: Huang Xing, Li Xiaoting)

Source: Xinhua News Agency