Technology Insights

China: a laboratory for new mobility

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As CEO of Automobility Ltd. and Chair of the Automotive Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Bill Russo is an expert on the automotive industry in China. Here, he shares his insights and predictions for this dynamic ecosystem.

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Since 2009, the automotive industry in China has been the largest in the world. 

While most of the cars manufactured in China are sold in its home market, in 2023 the country also became the world’s largest car exporter. This remarkable acceleration has been driven in part by the Chinese industry’s ability to leverage its “youth,” allowing it to quickly pivot to become a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Since 2020, they have scaled from producing 1 million EVs to 9 million – about a third of their total car production. By 2030, the electric vehicle penetration rate in China is likely to reach 60%.* Today, Chinese brands are selling 85% of new EVs in China.

While affordability is a key strength, Chinese OEMs also really know how to deliver popular digital features in electric vehicles. They see the car as a connected place where your time can be used productively. The cockpit is conceived as a platform, a data aggregator for personalized user experiences. China is the world’s largest digital economy, and Chinese brands are very strong in in-cabin connectivity – Chinese consumers demand this.

“Looking forward, what I call a ‘smart tier’ of technology integrators that have the capability to create a differentiated user-centric experience will be the winners in this new ecosystem.”

Bill Russo
CEO of Automobility Ltd. and Chair of the Automotive Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai

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