China's car industry enters a vital era of global cooperation

China is seeing unprecedented popularity in its vehicles around the world, but the next stage of globalization will require deeper cooperation among automakers, suppliers and technology partners, industry experts and executives said.

"China's auto globalization is no longer just our own business. To a large extent, it has become a global issue," said Zhang Yongwei, president of China EV100, at the Global New Energy Vehicle Cooperation and Development Forum held last week in Shanghai.

Zhang said China's auto industry is entering what he called the "China opportunity 2.0" for the global automotive industry.

He said China's vehicle exports are likely to exceed 10 million units this year, with their monthly market share in Europe exceeding 11 percent.

He described the first stage of the "China opportunity" as the past three to four decades, when China opened its market to international automakers and developed into a major global manufacturing base.

The next stage, he said, calls for a two-way approach: China will continue to welcome global resources while sending its advanced technologies, manufacturing capabilities and management expertise overseas.

"China is shifting from passively integrating into the world to taking a more active role in global development," Zhang said.

China's competitive advantages in electrification and intelligent vehicle supply chains, new automotive technologies, rapid product development and large-scale manufacturing provide the resource base for this new phase, Zhang said.

The development cycle for some Chinese automotive products has fallen from 48 months or longer to around one year, he added.

But the "China opportunity 2.0"should not be viewed simply as Chinese companies exporting products overseas.

Zhang said the key is to find strategic connections between Chinese capabilities and overseas markets, supply chains, manufacturing and logistics, creating opportunities for mutual benefit.

The challenge of turning domestic success into global success is also being felt by technology suppliers.

Shalini Palmer, vice-president of automotive business at Analog Devices Inc, said Chinese automakers faced fundamentally different challenges when expanding into international markets. These include differences in safety and battery regulations, trade policies, market-access rules, supplier ecosystems, climate and durability requirements.

Rather than solving every regional challenge independently, automakers can benefit from partners with global operations and cross-industry expertise, Palmer said.

ADI, which has operated in China for more than 30 years, has worked with Chinese automakers on battery management, vehicle connectivity, audio and sensing technologies.

Palmer also called for earlier cooperation between automakers and technology partners, deeper collaboration on standards and technology development, and clearer frameworks for data sharing and intellectual property protection.

For Chinese automakers, however, global success depends on more than technology and sales.

Lu Fang, chairman of Voyah, Dongfeng Motor's premium NEV brand, described the process as "going out" then "moving up" and finally "integrating in".

"Going out" means entering overseas markets, "moving up" means gaining recognition for brand value, while "integrating in" means becoming part of the local ecosystem, Lu said.

He stressed that localization should extend from product development and certification to sales, services and cooperation with local partners.

Voyah plans to launch a right-hand-drive version of its Dream MPV in the second half of 2026. The company is also exploring a potential joint venture with Stellantis in Europe.

As Chinese automakers expand globally, Zhang called for greater coordination among such companies and stronger strategic dialogue between countries.

He also urged Chinese automakers to avoid excessive clustering and destructive competition overseas, and to take greater responsibility for the reputation of Chinese automotive brands as a whole.

The ultimate goal of the "China opportunity 2.0", Zhang said, is that advanced, green and intelligent mobility technologies and products benefit people around the world.

For China's auto industry, that means moving beyond exporting vehicles to becoming a long-term partner in global transformation.