NPC deputy: China needs to build globally recognized car brands

China needs to build globally recognized car brands as well as achieve high sales volume to become a major and strong automobile country, said Yin Tongyue, a deputy to China's 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and chairman of Chery Holdings Group, at the "Deputies' Corridor" in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

"When Chery first launched its operations 27 years ago, we faced significant challenges, including limited capital, technology and skilled personnel. At the time, the market was largely dominated by foreign investments and joint ventures," said Yin.

"For over two decades, we have been steadfast in our commitment to independent innovation and entrepreneurship. Alongside other Chinese automakers and joint venture brands, we jointly put our efforts in advancing China's automotive manufacturing sector," he added.

In 2023, China's auto production and sales both surpassed 30 million units, and a total of 4.91 million vehicles were exported. Chery exported nearly 1 million of those vehicles, maintaining its lead as the top exporter of Chinese passenger cars for the 21st consecutive year.

Yin highlighted the importance of innovation and brand development in China's automotive sector.

"Moving beyond sheer numbers in production and sales, we believe the key to transitioning from a major automotive force to a world-leading power lies in nurturing Chinese brands that gain global recognition and respect," Yin said.

"In the next decade, we will not only pursue the world's largest sales volume, but also plan to lead the world in technological innovation, quality reputation and social responsibility," Yin said.

Yin also gave an example of how Chery participates in social welfare, recalling that after a huge earthquake hit Türkiye in February 2023, Chery's employees in the country took the initiative to organize local rescue operations within 30 minutes of the earthquake striking.

Some local social media users expressed surprise that a Chinese brand became an active participant in the local scene before selling a single car. This reflects the mindset of Chinese firms to embrace globalization and pursue high-quality, sustainable growth, according to Yin.

"Building on a commitment to offer quality products and services, Chinese companies, particularly those in the automotive industry, need to further boost their investment in research and development as well as in brand building," said Yin.

"By developing top-notch products and sharing Chinese innovation with the world, we aim to make Chinese products more appealing, encouraging global customers to prefer and select Chinese vehicles, thereby forging stronger global partnerships."