Conclusion of Auto China 2018
2018-05-05 11:28:00   来源：   评论：0 点击：

       On May 4, 2018 (the 15th) Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China) ushered in its closing ceremony with excellent results in China International Exhibition Center (CIEC).

       With a total exhibition area of 220,000 square meters, Auto China 2018 attracted more than 1,200 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions around the world. The exhibition displayed a total of 1,022 vehicles, including debut of 105 units (16 of which were world debut and the rest were Asian debut, both from multinational companies), 64 concept cars and 174 new energy vehicles (124 were from Chinese local brands). In addition, both old and new venues of CIEC have attracted a total of 820,000 visitors. Auto China maintained its leading position among global auto shows in terms of key indicators such as the number of exhibiting brands, the number and quality of vehicles and the number of visitors.

       Currently, the global automobile industry is at a stage of transformation and upgrading regarding multiple aspects such as the market upgrading under new consumption trends, the brand upgrading under new marketing trend and the industry upgrading under an environment with new energy. There is further integration of Internet with the industry and a redefinition of automobiles by intelligent connection. Themed “Steering to a New Era,” Auto China 2018 focused on the integrated development towards intelligence, networking and electrification, revealing the industrial transformation brought by emerging technologies such as new energy, AI and mobile Internet and illustrating a spectacular future with new methods of travelling and new lives with automobiles dreamed by mankind. Compared with previous Auto China shows, Auto China 2018 demonstrated the following features and highlights.

Intelligent connection is the common focus of auto companies

       With the rapid development of technology and the mobile Internet, dramatic changes have taken place in people’s lifestyle and consumption patterns. The automobile industry has also undergone disruptive transformation. New applications, new technologies and new models emerge constantly, offering huge opportunity for the development of intelligently connected vehicles. Against such a backdrop, traditional auto enterprises have accelerated the development of intelligent vehicles and large Internet companies started to penetrate into the intelligent auto industry one after another.

       During this year’s show, new ideas for manufacturing vehicles was a common focus of auto companies with concepts such as AI, self-driving, interconnection and intelligent interaction available at all stands. Compared with the last event during which exhibitors were busy with spreading concepts, models of intelligently connected vehicles were presented and made ready for the market and available for consumers this year.

       From strategies released by various manufacturers, we can see that all exhibitors have made plans regarding future modes of travelling. They demonstrated their technological innovations or innovations regarding modes of traveling in an all-round way, making the visitors truly believe that automobiles will change from just tools for traveling to tools for entertainment, socializing and sharing and comprehensive mobile terminals with multiple functions.

Flourishing of new energy vehicles

       According to the 2018 China Automobile Hedge Ratio Report, total sales of new energy vehicles worldwide in 2017 exceeded 1.42 million units and the cumulative sales exceeded 3.4 million units. As of the end of 2017, the cumulative sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 1.8 million units, accounting for more than 50% of the world total. China has been ranked the world's largest producer and seller of new energy vehicles for three consecutive years. During Auto China 2018, up to 174 new energy vehicles were displayed, covering various models such as pure EVs and hybrid EVs, SUVs and MPVs. Chinese NEV brands had outstanding performance and exhibited 124 vehicles, accounting for 70% of the total. As for technologies, these brands have demonstrated strong competitiveness in terms of both driving range and battery technologies.

       With the rollout of the Parallel Administration Measures of CAFC and NEV Credits on passenger vehicles and the lowering of subsidies from the Chinese government on NEVs, hybrid power becomes an important choice of energy-saving technologies for passenger vehicles. There were numerous highlighted demonstrations of hybrid models during this year’s exhibitions, providing consumers with diversified choices.

       With double driving forces from policies and the market, NEVs will naturally be the future trend. The extensive release of NEV models and strategies on new energy resources during Auto China 2018, an important window for showcasing developments of the industry, marks a new era for the auto industry and an increasing competition among automobile companies both from home and abroad.

New forces and traditional manufacturers integrating through competition

       During this year’s show, emerging manufacturers flocked in with various “black technologies” and “new ideas,” exerting great impact on the industry. More than a dozen of such manufacturers have jointly put on a large group presentation at Auto China 2018. Whether it was the continuously popular SUV models or the concept cars with leading technologies, these emerging manufacturers have demonstrated numerous innovative features in terms of the product orientation, intelligent functions and marketing strategies.

       With emerging manufacturers marching into areas of intelligently connected vehicles, self-driving cars and new energy vehicles, traditional manufacturers, both from home and abroad, presented on their exhibition various models that were genuinely intelligent vehicles fueled by new energy and ready for mass production. How should large-scale traditional manufacturers respond to new challenges, quickly adjust their strategies and drive themselves through transformation and upgrading? How should they confront the tough challenges from industrial chain and consumers when emerging manufacturers shift from developing concepts to mass production? In the current situation where domination of traditional auto enterprises has gradually been broken and competition becomes increasingly intense, we have seen these two forces holding hands together in this event. Cooperation and integrated development in areas where both can be complementary to each other is surely an optimal solution.

China’s local brands continuing their march towards the high-end segment

       China's automobile industry has shifted from high-speed growth to high-quality development. During this course, a group of iconic Chinese brands that are marching towards the high-end segment and expanding into international markets have emerged. A large number of China’s local brands have announced their strategic plans for the development of high-end vehicles and released strategic models of their middle/high-end sub-brands. What supports the upgrading of local brands is the capability in research and development of core technologies and the upgrade of consumption as well as the influence of multiple factors such as new policies, new technologies, new forces and new business models.

Commercial vehicle segment developing steadily

       In the recent two years, the domestic commercial vehicle market has experienced significant sales growth due to multiple stimulations from new policies regulating overload of vehicles, service life of trucks and upgrade of CHINA V Emission Standard. In 2017, domestic production and sales reached 4,208,700 units and 4,160,600 units respectively, both enjoying a thriving growth. During this year’s show, an area of nearly 10,000 square meters on the south square of the new CIEC was used for commercial vehicles, attracting many mainstream commercial vehicle manufacturers such as SAIC, Foton, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, JMC and Changjiang EV. The exhibition covered models such as heavy trucks, medium trucks, light trucks, passenger vehicles, new energy vehicles and special vehicles, showcasing intelligent, networking and high-end technologies and products of these manufacturers in terms of aspects such as new energy, new power, new techniques and light-weight bodies and interpreting the theme (Steering to a New Era) of this year’s event through presentation of commercial vehicles. Moreover, manufacturers of commercial vehicles also brought various “black technologies” that were experienced by visitors so that they could learn about the scale and outlook of this segment.

 A focus on technology advancement in the parts area

       During this year’s auto show, domestic and foreign manufacturers of auto parts, with great passion, proactively responded to the technological trends of electrification, intelligence and networking. They extensively displayed their latest products equipped with technologies in areas such as zero commission, self-driving, and Internet of Vehicles as well as new concept cars.

       There were not only conventional power units such as gearboxes, electric water pumps, variable valve timing systems, stratified-charged injection systems and phaser-style variable valve timing systems but also products such as electric powertrains and integrated control systems for vehicles, including hybrid power motor, lithium batteries, stereo cameras, millimeter-wave radars, ECU equipment for self-driving cars and new electrical systems that can reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

A summit redefining life with vehicles

       The 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition Summit sponsored by the organizing committee of Auto China 2018 was successfully held in the conference hall of the new CIEC on April 25. More than 300 persons including senior executives, experts and scholars from the auto industry as well as representatives from the government attended the summit. These elites of the industry shared many successful cases of transformation and upgrading in the global automobile industry and talked about new trends through cross-sector exchanges and brainstorming discussions, providing new motivation to the auto industry that is undergoing a dramatic change and injecting soft power into the event.

Media attention from all over the world

       A total of 13,563 domestic and foreign journalists from 3,194 institutions in 45 countries and regions have made report on Auto China 2018. There were 1,373 foreign journalists from 445 overseas media. Moreover, a total of 94 press conferences were held during two media days. Various news agencies and professional media have covered this year’s exhibition thoroughly. With unique perspectives and thorough in-depth analysis, these journalists presented to the entire world a spectacular event.

Charity activities bringing warmth to the exhibition

       Caring for the development and education of teenagers, the sponsors of Auto China 2018 were actively involved in charity, with a number of related programs rolled out during the exhibition. 

       This year, once again in collaboration with the China Social Welfare Foundation's Autism Child Aid Fund, the Healing Autistic Children with Art program was launched on Auto China 2018 with the theme of Sharing a New Life. With presentations and activities during the exhibition, these “children of stars” have gained understanding and attention from people across all social communities, bringing love and warmth to the event and demonstrating its sense of social responsibilities. 

       In addition, there was an automobile science and culture tour for teenagers, also called Nissan Dream Building Classroom. With colorful activities requiring a lot of practices such as the “painting classroom” and the “designing classroom,” students felt the charm of automobile culture in a carefree and joyful atmosphere, broadened their horizons and experienced lots of fun in hands-on practices.

Considerate services ensuring smooth progress of the exhibition

       The sponsors and organizers of Auto China 2018 have always kept to the ideas and characteristics of Excellent Exhibits, Full Range of Brands and Internationalization, devoting consistently to the improvement of exhibition management and services. This year, successful practices and measures of previous events were also adopted and the quality and efficiency of the event were improved through innovative services. During the preparation for the show, measures for the convenience of visitors such as ticket-sale via Taobao, door-to-door ticket delivery and design of off-peak exhibitions were carried out. Services during the show such as security, catering, communication, information consultation, guidance and volunteer services were further improved.

       The Auto China 2018 also owes its success to related bodies of the Beijing municipal government and Shunyi district government which have lent strong support in aspects such as security, traffic control, anti-terrorism, on-site firefighting, sanitation and comprehensive management significantly boosting the overall services of this year’s event. The organizers and sponsors of Auto China 2018 would express sincere gratitude to all the staff and volunteers participating in this auto show as well as friends from media who have long been paying close attention to the event.

       The sponsors stated that, in terms of services and organization, the growing Auto China still needed improvement to meet demands and expectations from the public. The sponsors will continue to innovate with the spirit of craftsmanship and develop the brand of Auto China in a new era based on the initial aspiration so as to fulfill the public’s pursuit and aspiration for a beautiful life with automobiles in the future.