On September 10, 2023, the International Motor Show and Smart Mobility Expo (IAA Mobility) ended in Munich. This was a grand event to showcase the innovation of future mobility, attracting car manufacturers, technology providers, professional observers and consumers from all over the world. At this expo, Chinese new energy vehicle enterprises won the applause and attention of the audience and the media with their advantages of technology leadership, cool design, environmental protection concept, etc.

At the opening ceremony of the expo, German Chancellor Scholz delivered a keynote speech, emphasizing the important position and influence of the German automotive industry in the global automotive industry, and also pointing out the necessity of accelerating transformation and innovation for the German automotive industry in the face of increasingly fierce international competition and climate change challenges. He said that the German government will provide more support and incentives for the German automotive industry, including investing 110 billion euros to develop the electric vehicle industry, build charging infrastructure, increase electric vehicle subsidies, etc.

Scholz also visited various booths at the expo and communicated and interacted with exhibitors. He highly praised the innovation performance of Chinese enterprises in the field of new energy vehicles, and said that he welcomed Chinese enterprises to carry out more cooperation and exchange with German enterprises. He said: “We should be motivated by competition, not scared by it.”

At this expo, the number and scale of Chinese enterprises participating reached a historical high, with nearly 70 Chinese vehicle manufacturers and supply chain technology companies participating, accounting for 40% of the exhibitors at the entire expo. This included well-known enterprises such as BYD, Xiaopeng Motors, Lixiang Motors, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, Ningde Times, Avita Technology, DeepRoute, etc.

These Chinese enterprises displayed their latest technologies and products in the field of new energy vehicles, including batteries, motors, intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit and other core components, as well as a number of high-performance, high-quality and high-value new energy vehicles. These products not only have technical advantages, but also meet the aesthetic and needs of European consumers in design, showing the innovation strength and market potential of Chinese new energy vehicles.

The booths of Chinese enterprises were crowded with people from beginning to end, attracting the attention and interest of many audiences. German media also gave positive reports and evaluations on the performance of Chinese enterprises, believing that Chinese new energy vehicles have become an important force in the global automotive industry and have had a profound impact on the European automotive market.

Europe is one of the largest automotive markets in the world and one of the fastest growing regions for new energy vehicles. The EU has set strict carbon emission targets and policy measures, requiring the ban on sales of fuel cars and small passenger and cargo vehicles from 2035. This provides a huge market space and policy support for new energy vehicles.

European local car manufacturers are also actively responding to market changes and accelerating the launch of new energy vehicle products. At this expo, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and other German local car companies were still the protagonists. They released a number of electric concept cars and new platforms, showing their determination to speed up their transformation. Toyota, General Motors, Nissan and other traditional non-German car companies were absent, showing their passive situation in the European market.

Win-win cooperation and create the future. Chinese car companies not only showed their products and technologies in the European market, but also showed their openness and cooperation attitude. Chinese car companies have established good cooperation relationships with European car companies, suppliers, dealers, etc., to jointly promote the development and innovation of the new energy vehicle industry. For example, BYD cooperated with European car production and channel partners to better understand local needs; Xiaopeng Motors cooperated with Volkswagen to share platforms and technologies; Ningde Times provided battery products and services to BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler and other car manufacturers in Europe. These cooperations are not only beneficial for Chinese car companies to expand their influence in the European market, but also beneficial for European car companies to enhance their competitiveness in the field of new energy vehicles.