Reported by Pulsestack on March 17th, the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum (2024) was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing from March 15th to 17th. With the theme of "Consolidating and Expanding the Advantage of New Energy Vehicle Development," the forum delved into various topics including the new trends in global automotive industry development, the new path of green and low-carbon transformation in the automotive industry, the new direction of intelligent connected vehicle development, the new strategy of urban integration development, innovation in power battery industry, and the application of technologies such as big computing power, big models, and big data, as well as the construction of charging infrastructure and new changes in the automotive market and consumption.
On March 17th, at the Market and Consumption Forum, Gu Hainan, General Manager of GAC Ean New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., stated that autonomous driving will undergo a second revolution and experience rapid growth. "We predict that this year will be the breakout year for L3, depending on the introduction of national industrial policies. Regardless of whether the policies are enacted or not, the relevant hardware and software technologies will meet the birth of L3 this year. We predict that 2026 will be the breakout year for L4."
He mentioned that although the market is very dynamic, there is still "organic dynamism" within it. Currently, the high-end development of new energy vehicles is still in its infancy and will enter a period of growth. At the same time, he also indicated that although the charging infrastructure is developing rapidly this year, the anxiety about charging still has not been alleviated, and is even intensifying.
Today I'd like to share a few points.
Firstly, the rapid development of China's new energy vehicle industry can be attributed to several key factors: national industrial policies, capital investment, technology advancement, market demand, and supply chain optimization. As the government gradually reduces subsidies, it indicates that our new energy vehicle industry has reached a mature stage. Moving forward, it's crucial for policymakers to carefully consider the direction of automotive industry policies. Relying solely on free market competition for the development of the new energy vehicle industry might lead to missed opportunities in global competition. Hence, it's essential for institutions like the Electric Vehicle 100 People's Club to play a pivotal role in shaping policy decisions.
Secondly, while market competition is fierce, there's still room for growth. Chinese enterprises are expanding domestically and internationally, leading to increased market share and making China the largest exporter, behind Japan. The market share of domestic brands is also on the rise.
Thirdly, there's an opportunity for the high-end branding of new energy vehicles. Despite nearly 20 years of development, the high-end market remains largely dominated by Tesla. This indicates that the high-end segment of the new energy vehicle market is still in its nascent stage and holds potential for further growth.
Fourthly, in terms of electric vehicles (EVs), there's a focus on improving battery energy density. While subsidies were previously linked to battery energy density, progress seems to have slowed down. However, advancements in fast-charging and battery swapping technologies are promising. Anticipation is high for the next battery revolution, including the emergence of solid-state batteries.
Fifthly, although the infrastructure for charging stations has seen rapid development, concerns about charging anxiety persist, especially with the rise of hybrid vehicles. This underscores the need for the industry to address the issue of charging infrastructure and range anxiety effectively.
Sixthly, Integrated Connected Vehicle (ICV) technology is advancing rapidly, with developments in areas such as internet connectivity, intelligent cockpits, and autonomous driving. The coming years are expected to witness significant progress, particularly in Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving technology.
Seventhly, the new energy vehicle industry is entering its second phase, characterized by a shift towards electrification, connectivity, and intelligence. Disruptive technologies will continue to emerge, presenting opportunities for innovation.
Eighthly, while there are significant opportunities for Chinese brands to expand internationally, various obstacles need to be overcome, such as trade tensions and regulatory barriers. Efforts are underway to establish a presence in overseas markets, although challenges remain.
In conclusion, as we navigate future challenges and competition, Guangzhou Automobile Group Aion (GAC Aion) remains committed to technological innovation and international expansion. Through initiatives like Aion, our aim is to lead the way in shaping the future of the automotive industry.
