Introduction:
The automotive industry in China has been embroiled in heated debates about involution (intense internal competition) and going global. Amidst these discussions, a significant development has emerged: the proposed establishment of a mandatory national standard, Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems for Intelligent Connected Vehicles, on June 4th. This standard provides a new lens through which to examine the underlying logic of the Chinese automotive industry’s ambitions to break free from domestic competition and expand internationally.
The Core Issue: From Price Wars to Standard Setting
While the industry is focused on the pros and cons of price wars and the timing of overseas expansion, the formulation of this standard reveals a deeper issue. The Chinese automotive industry cannot rely solely on low-price offensives to break through domestic competition and move towards global expansion. It needs to establish a system of trust in the global market with technical standards as the anchor.
China’s Automotive Export Journey: A Three-Stage Evolution
Industry insiders have divided China’s automotive exports into five stages: opportunity-based trade, brand-based trade, simple KD manufacturing, comprehensive localized manufacturing, and comprehensive internationalization. In reality, it can be divided into three stages: product export, supply chain export, and technology export.
In 2023, China’s automobile exports reached 5.859 million units, a year-on-year increase of 19.3%, surpassing Japan for two consecutive years to rank first in the world. Since the beginning of this year, there have been many reports of car companies expanding overseas. Therefore, in the face of absolute sales figures, the Chinese automotive industry has reached the time to consider supply chain export and technology export.
Intelligent Driving: The Next Wave of Automotive Exports
This round of automotive exports is inseparable from the strong support of electrification and intelligentization. Especially when the world can no longer reverse the trend of electrification, the intelligent driving in China’s automotive industry, now the combined driving assistance function, will become the biggest product competitiveness of the next round of automotive exports.
The Timing is Right: Regulating the Intelligent Driving Chaos
Combined with the current domestic rectification of the chaos of intelligent driving, the formulation of this Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems for Intelligent Connected Vehicles is very timely.
From Mandatory Standards to the Popularization of Assisted Driving
Driven by the wave of technology, combined assisted driving technology is rapidly advancing. The establishment of mandatory national standards will undoubtedly play a crucial role in regulating the development of the industry, ensuring safety, and promoting the widespread adoption of assisted driving technology.
Conclusion:
The introduction of mandatory national standards for intelligent driving systems marks a pivotal moment for the Chinese automotive industry. It signals a shift from unrestrained growth to a more regulated and standardized approach. By focusing on technical standards and ensuring safety, China aims to build trust in the global market and pave the way for the next wave of automotive exports, driven by electrification and intelligentization. This move is not just about regulating the domestic market but also about positioning China as a leader in the global automotive industry, setting the stage for sustainable and responsible growth.
References:
- Automotive Commune. (2024, June 9). 强制国标出手，“智驾”野蛮生长终结？(Mandatory National Standards Step In: Is the Era of Unrestrained Growth for Intelligent Driving Coming to an End?). 36Kr. https://36kr.com/p/2821823434688512
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