简体中文
The Detroit Auto Show is a key platform for car manufactures to showcase their very latest vehicles. But the event also gives an update on the overall health of the auto industry and hints at future trends.
One development recently has been the growth of Chinese auto companies and their investment into the U.S. auto market, a topic that was discussed at the Automotive News' World Congress which overlaps with the Auto Show.
Michael Dunne, CEO of ZoZo Go, a company that specializes in helping companies understand China's auto industry said, “China is already number one in terms of production and sales of cars, globally. But most of that story, almost entirely all of that story is situated in China. That has been the story until now. However since 2015, we've seen tremendous investment globally by Chinese companies including here in the United States. That is a real major change in the global auto industry.”
A number of Chinese auto companies attended the event.
Jack Cheng is the co-founder of China based electric vehicle company NIO, and CEO of the company's powertrain division XPT.
Jack Cheng, CEO of XPT and co-founder of Nio, is among the delegates at Automotive News' World Congress. /CGTN Photo
The company is already outselling Tesla in China and is now targeting expansion. “The first vehicle to market to the European standard already so we will be able to take a step into Europe and then because the U.S. is a more critical market in terms of furtherisation. So I think we will take about two years or three to move forwards,” said Cheng.
One Chinese owned company that is following a different path is Karma Automotive. They decided to base their production facility for their high-end EV cars in California. Lance Zhou is the CEO of Karma: “We are focused on North America market firstly, we are not focused on the China market. We can challenge the previous of luxury cars like Aston Martin, McLaren so that is our target market, compared to why we say we'll win, is because we are more agile. We can get more latest technology because we are located in southern California.”
One subject that continues to dominate the discussion is the issue of tariffs and the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China.
A host of auto industry leaders from China spoke at Automotive News' World Congress. /CGTN Photo
The auto industry as a whole is monitoring developments closely.
David Wang is the regional Deputy General Manager of Yanfeng Automotive Design, a company that employs 12,000 people in North America. “We have a lot of communication with our OEMs, with our customers. How do they want to deal with this challenge. To find a common plan to minimize, to mitigate this risk. And as a China company we have to survive, we will have to deal with all of this kind of a challenge.”
Tariffs aside, the auto industry is set for significant change as electrified and autonomous vehicles promise to revolutionize the sector, and a number of Chinese companies hope to play a major role in that process.
(CGTN)
