2023 is definitely the most memorable year for China's automotive industry.
Because there have been many events in this year, there are first-class battles from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, the collapse of huge new forces from across the border, the frequent job hopping of car company bosses, and the joint rights protection of various car owners who will not be absent almost every month. Some of these events are destined to be recorded in the history of China's automobile development. We have reason to believe that these events will rewrite the competitive pattern and even the ecological model of China's automotive industry, and even rewrite China's historical position in the global automotive industry.
We will sort out these events that are definitely worth remembering for you through this article.
Surpassing Germany and Japan, China's automobile exports have become the first
At the beginning of 2023, industry insiders predicted that China's auto exports will continue to grow strongly, and the export volume is expected to reach 4 million units, and it is expected to surpass Japan in 2023 and become the world's largest auto exporter. And this ** has only been achieved in just one quarter.
According to the data of the Passenger Association, in the first quarter of 2023, China's exports of automobiles will reach 10690,000 units, up 54% y/y, surpassing Japan for the first time in history, after surpassing Germany in 2022, became the world's No. 1 auto exporter. Especially in March, China's auto exports exceeded 38 in a single month70,000 units, a record high.
In November, China's automobile exports reached 5240,000 units, with a sustained strong growth rate of 40% in exports. From January to November 2023, China exported a total of 4.76 million vehicles, with an export growth rate of 56%. If there are no surprises, the export volume for the whole year of 2023 will exceed 5 million units, which is far more than the first year of the year.
Comments:The trend of China becoming the world's number one exporter of automobiles is well underway, and the results are not surprising. In addition to quantity, we pay more attention to quality, unlike in the past, Chinese cars mainly exported low-end cars to Africa, South America and other underdeveloped countries and regions, and now we will aim more at traditional towns such as Europe, as well as Southeast Asia such as the Japanese "back garden" market, and new energy vehicles have gradually become the main export force, the more they sell, the more expensive. China's auto exports have stepped out of the low-price and volume-oriented mode and completed a qualitative leap.
Promoting our country's prestige, Chinese brands steal the spotlight in Munich
As one of the most prestigious auto shows in the world, at the 2023 Munich Motor Show in Germany, the most eye-catching thing is not the old car powerhouses in Europe and the United States, but the Chinese brands.
In the past, not many Chinese brands participated in such overseas international auto shows, and at best only a few exhibitors. Now, with the first-mover advantage in new energy vehicles, domestic car companies have basically achieved corner overtaking. Therefore, this year's Munich Motor Show has also become a collective participation of many Chinese car companies. Counting down, nearly 20 Chinese auto industry chain enterprises, including BYD, SAIC MG, Leapmotor, AVATR Technology and other vehicle companies, appeared at the Munich Motor Show with a "group" lineup, including many new cars that have not been unveiled in China. So much so that some European ** lamented that the Munich Motor Show has become an "international auto show for Chinese".
This is also the first time in the history of Chinese automobiles. This phenomenon has even stimulated Europe's nerves to a certain extent, accelerating the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into China's electric vehicles.
Comments:If it is just to say that the scale of the Chinese car companies participating in the exhibition is huge, then there is nothing to praise. After all, as long as the company is willing, it can go to the booth to participate in the exhibition. But when you see the audience surrounding the booth of Chinese brands, you will know that Chinese brands are participating in the exhibition as global leaders in the new energy vehicle industry. This means that the "big brothers" in Europe really dare not underestimate Chinese brands.
Reverse joint venture, big brother to grab Chinese brands
To be precise, this is not an event, but a set of events.
In line with the principle of "joining if you can't beat it", European veteran car companies have started a "reverse joint venture" with Chinese brands. In July 2023, Volkswagen suddenly announced two important collaborations. First, Volkswagen Group will increase its capital to Xpeng Motors by about 700 million US dollars and acquire Xpeng Motors by about 499% equity. Upon completion of the transaction, the Volkswagen Group will receive an observer seat on the board of directors of Xpeng Motors. The two companies will also jointly develop two electrified models under the Volkswagen brand for the mid-size car market in China. Second, Audi has chosen to jointly develop a new local platform for next-generation intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) with SAIC.
Also in July, Geely Automobile announced that Geely Automobile Company, Geely Holding and Renault entered into a capital contribution agreement and a joint venture agreement, signing a 50:50 binding joint venture agreement to establish a new company.
In November, Leapmotor entered into a cooperation agreement with Stellantis Group, the world's fourth largest multinational car company. According to the agreement, Stellantis Group will invest HK$8.5 billion, with a 20% stake in Leap. In addition, the two parties will establish a 51:49 joint venture company, which will be solely responsible for the export and sales of all overseas markets. This has created a new model of Sino-foreign joint ventures.
Comments:China's first development for 70 years, in the past was "market for technology", foreign car companies out of brands, technology, equipment and even some parts, Chinese car companies out of land, capital, human resources, etc. Now it has become a "technology export", with Chinese car companies contributing brands and technologies, and foreign car companies investing funds. Times have changed, and multinational companies and Chinese companies have completed a reversing of identities.
Mitsubishi withdrew, and half of the joint venture was on the verge of falling
Some people join if they can't beat it, and some people run away if they can't beat it.
Once upon a time, the Japanese system was half of the country in the Chinese market, especially in the joint venture brand market. But in 2023, Japanese brands are crumbling like a waning mountain. From the beginning of 2023 to the official announcement in October, GAC Mitsubishi's fate has finally come to an end. GAC Group acquired 50% of the shares of GAC Mitsubishi for 1 yuan, and the Mitsubishi brand stopped localized production in China, and the Mitsubishi brand "bid farewell" to China.
It's hard to imagine that in a market like China, which has a fascination with SUV models and a traditional good impression of Japanese brands as being economical and durable, Mitsubishi is the first to do it. Mitsubishi's exit is a microcosm of the rout of the entire Japanese brand in the Chinese market. Further down is the traditional advantages of Japanese models such as economy, fuel efficiency, durability and large space, which have become unattractive in the new energy era. The Japanese system does not have an inherent advantage in new energy, and the sense of science and technology has become the biggest shortcoming of the Japanese system. And if we talk about the determination of "involution", the Japanese system is not as resolute as the German system.
Comments:Mitsubishi's dismal exit is definitely more symbolic than the dissolution of Guangfic in 2022. The 20 years of Japanese success in the Chinese market have come to an end.
Huawei set up the stage, and the Super League posted hero posts
Huawei doesn't build cars, but what Huawei wants to do may be greater than building a car.
On November 26, Changan Automobile and Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Investment Cooperation, under which Huawei plans to establish a new company dedicated to the R&D, production, sales and service of intelligent driving systems and incremental components for intelligent networked vehicles.
Subsequently, Huawei issued an invitation to the new company's equity opening to its smart car partners such as Celis, Chery, JAC, and BAIC, and even hoped that FAW Group would also join. With Huawei's brand appeal and absolute strength in intelligent technology, it is clear that it is to build a super industry alliance in the domestic automotive circle. At present, new energy users are increasingly concentrated on the top brands, and for those brands with weak competitiveness, as well as brands that do not have absolute strength in intelligent software and hardware, investing in the Huawei family is a good way to survive.
Comments:In the new energy era, China already has vehicle companies that can compete with Volkswagen and Toyota in the future. But China's "Bosch" has not yet, and this matter may only be done by Huawei.
The battery swap alliance and the battle for energy replenishment routes have been restarted
The dispute between battery swapping and ultra-fast charging has always been controversial.
For a long time, ultra-fast charging technology has been constantly upgraded, and battery swapping has only been done by NIO for a long time, which not only burns money, but also makes it difficult to form a scale. Battery swapping must be standardized in the whole industry in order to compete with ultra-fast charging. However, it is difficult for all car companies to design and develop battery-swappable models in accordance with unified standards.
In just a few days at the end of November 2023, NIO has signed cooperation agreements with Changan and Geely to cooperate in promoting the establishment of battery swap standards, the construction and sharing of battery swap networks, the research and development of battery swap models, and the establishment of an efficient battery asset management mechanism. Li Bin also said: There are 4-5 follow-up discussions. One is a century-old central enterprise and the other is a private giant, which means that the battery swap mode will soon usher in the industry standard.
Coincidentally, at the National Conference on Industry and Information Technology on December 21, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology once again emphasized that it will support the development of battery swap mode for new energy vehicles in 2024. It seems that this time, the battery swap mode is finally going to officially enter the stage of history.
Comments:The prospect of battery swapping mode definitely has the potential to compete with the ultra-fast, after all, no matter how fast the charging speed is, it can't compare to 3 minutes to change a fully charged battery. Once the standard is introduced and there are leading car companies to promote the popularization, battery swapping may change the development route of the entire new energy in the future. (Wen Youshi Auto Old Cannon).
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