In brief
The 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress drew about 600 participants from China and Germany in Wolfsburg. Leaders highlighted electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving as key drivers and called for partnerships beyond vehicle production, including batteries and technology. The congress followed the International Suppliers Fair, which hosted 45 Chinese suppliers.
German and Chinese automotive companies met in Wolfsburg on 30 October for the 10th German‑Chinese Automotive Congress, drawing about 600 representatives from both countries to discuss ways of boosting cooperation amid a period of profound global transformation and fierce competition in the industry.
Lower Saxony Minister‑President Olaf Lies framed the gathering as a reminder that the industry is “undergoing one of the biggest and most rapid transformation processes in its history”. He said a wide range of factors are driving this transformation, including electrification, vehicle digitalisation, artificial intelligence in manufacturing and in vehicles themselves, and autonomous driving.
The congress is intended to send a strong signal that cooperation between Germany and China should be deepened. In the auto industry's current climate, it is very important that German and Chinese companies maintain dialogue and establish reliable and solid partnerships, said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Technology.
Liu Minqiang, Director‑General of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce, added that competition is not detrimental for the automotive industry when transformation is speeding up, and that it contributes to the upgrading of the industry and plays a positive role in providing customers with better products and services. He urged companies to focus on improving their technologies, products and services.
Consul General Lin Dong of China in Hamburg noted that cooperation between Chinese and German auto companies has now gone beyond the conventional domain of complete vehicle production, expanding to areas including batteries, intelligent connection and technological innovations.
The automotive congress was held in the wake of the International Suppliers Fair, which kicked off in Wolfsburg on Tuesday. A total of 45 Chinese automotive suppliers were present at the fair.
