As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, it provides a robust boost to the intelligent mobility of electric vehicles. According to the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum, global electric vehicle sales are expected to exceed 40 million units by 2025, with China leading the pack at 16.5 million units and achieving a penetration rate of over 55%.
Under this backdrop, how will the global automotive industry transition to electrification, and how can countries collaborate for mutual benefit? On March 28, during the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum (2025) International Forum, numerous domestic and international organizations and industry experts shared their insights on the current state of electric vehicle development, the challenges and opportunities faced, and strategies for technological innovation, market layout, and supply chain cooperation.
“The globalization of the automotive industry is facing unprecedented challenges, but the foundation for cooperation within the automotive supply chain remains strong,” said Zhang Yongwei, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Electric Vehicle 100 Forum. He emphasized that the trend of global supply chain cooperation is strengthening, and the block-based industrial clusters have not altered the development trend of the automotive supply chain. Thus, building a mutually beneficial supply chain system is essential for advancing global cooperation in new energy vehicles. Moreover, the interoperability of automotive service systems should not be overlooked, as there is significant potential for collaboration in areas such as charging network construction, battery recycling, and after-sales service.
Accelerating the Global Electrification Transition
“China’s new energy vehicle market is entering a fully market-driven phase, driven by demand, making the transition from oil to electric imperative to avoid resource wastage,” stated Su Bo, Deputy Director of the Economic Committee of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. He noted that in the next two to three years, China will enter a new stage in the dominant development of the new energy vehicle market. With the irreversible trend towards new energy, accelerated integration of intelligent networks, and the deep reshaping of the global landscape, new opportunities and challenges await the automotive industry.
Liu Yang, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, highlighted the importance of the automotive industry’s transition to greener and low-carbon practices for the overall green transformation of the economy and society. He suggested fostering collaborative innovation and strengthening international cooperation to promote green transformations among upstream and downstream enterprises, reduce carbon emissions, and establish a green industrial and supply chain.
Katrin Luger, Director of Transport at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, pointed out that about 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the transport sector, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for approximately 41% of that total. The emissions could potentially increase by nearly 48%-50% over the next 25 years. “The transition to electric vehicles and a shift towards public transportation are crucial, and China’s experiences in developing electric vehicles and electrifying public transport are worth emulating,” she remarked.
Christian Hochfeld, Executive Director of the Agora Verkehrswende think tank in Germany, emphasized the urgency of accelerating the electrification of vehicles, warning that failure to do so could lead to significant costs. He noted that countries like Thailand and the Philippines are actively advancing their electric transitions, while African nations still predominantly rely on fuel vehicles. In developed countries like the United States and Canada, the transition faces challenges due to slower consumer acceptance of new technologies. The situation in Europe varies by country, with Germany striving to promote electric vehicles while aiming for near-zero carbon neutrality and strengthening international cooperation to welcome Chinese brands into the European market.
Yossapong Laoonual, President of the Thailand Electric Vehicle Association, shared the country’s vision for electric vehicle development, aiming for 30% of total automotive production to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and 50% of new sales to be electric vehicles, along with the establishment of 12,000 direct current fast charging stations nationwide. He noted a rapid growth in electric vehicle production in Thailand, with an increase of over 5800% in pure electric vehicle output from 2023-2024.
In light of reaching carbon peak targets, it is vital to systematically plan how to assist road transport in achieving zero emissions in the medium to long term, stated Gong Huiming, Executive Director of the Industrial Transformation Program at the Energy Foundation. He highlighted that small cars dominate sales in the automotive market, including in the new energy vehicle sector. In China, the proportion of new energy vehicles in passenger cars and buses has nearly reached or exceeded 50%, but the electrification of trucks is still in its infancy. Given that trucks represent over 50% of road traffic emissions, expediting their electrification is crucial.
Building a New Model of Global Supply Chain Cooperation
As international trade barriers continue to rise, the globalization process for Chinese automotive companies faces increasing challenges. Tang Liming, Chief Product Strategist at Geely Auto Group, expressed confidence that the globalization of the automotive industry is an inevitable trend, emphasizing that internationalization is a marathon requiring changes in strategies and models—from merely selling products to establishing ecosystems and transitioning from short-term profit-seeking to long-term deep engagement, thus participating in global competition with high-quality development.
Globalization should be viewed not as a solitary endeavor but as a symbiotic bridge, and the transition to global electrification is not a zero-sum game but a historical opportunity for technological leaps. Historically, China has been perceived as a producer of low-quality goods, but it has now emerged as a leader in technology, intelligence, and aviation, with its automotive sector increasingly influencing global markets.
Shu Xueming, Assistant General Manager of Chery International, noted that the internationalization of the “Technology China” label is becoming more distinct. He highlighted the global impact of innovations like DeepSeek, with China’s market share in drones reaching 70% and its new energy vehicles accounting for 76% of the global market share. Last year, China’s total automotive production represented 35% of the global total, with exports reaching 5.86 million units. This year, with major manufacturers like Chery, Geely, BYD, and Great Wall actively expanding into overseas markets, as well as domestic stimulus policies, total automotive production is expected to grow beyond 31 million units from last year, with exports likely surpassing 6 million units.
Xu Daqian, President of Bosch China, pointed out that by 2026, the production of vehicles for export from domestic manufacturers may decline due to new overseas factories coming online, and ongoing stimulus policies may not be sustainable. If domestic demand cannot effectively stimulate growth, total automotive production may face challenges.
Software-defined vehicles are ushering in a new era, continuously expanding the automotive ecosystem and attracting numerous new partners who have never been involved in the automotive field before. The modern vehicle emphasizes personalization, immersive experiences, and sustainability, with consumers increasingly focused on innovative features, making cars akin to smartphones—essential intelligent devices in people’s lives.
Yasmine King, Global Vice President of ADI, remarked on the interesting evolution of range-extended technology, which was initially viewed skeptically in China as merely a transitional product. However, market developments have exceeded expectations, with significant growth in plug-in hybrids and range-extended models over the past three years, especially in 2024. This has prompted Tier 1 suppliers to reconsider their product planning and strategies. In the context of slowing global electrification, there is a significant opportunity for mature solutions validated in the Chinese market to expand into foreign markets.
